Ebonyi South rerun: Labour Party’s Okorie vows to recontest

The former Labour Party (LP) Senatorial Candidate for Ebonyi South zone, Mr Linus Okorie, on Tuesday vowed to participate in the forthcoming re-run election, which is yet to be scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Recall that Okorie contested in the last 2023 general election and was defeated by the former governor, David Umahi, who is now the Minister of Works.

Okorie insisted that it was the turn of his Onicha Local Government to produce the next senator in the spirit of justice, fairness and equity.

In a statement issued after the Appeal Court judgment, which struck out his petition, Okorie noted that he remained active, motivated and vigilant to protect the will of the people when the re-run eventually holds.

According to reports, the Ebonyi South Senatorial seat was declared vacant following the resignation and appointment of the former Senator, David Umahi, as a minister by President Bola Tinubu.

Umahi had boasted that it was his right to choose who replaces him from his Ohaozara council area.

However, Okorie in the statement, recalled how the former Governor, Umahi, allegedly used armed thugs to intimidate, torture, and imprison him for contesting the election against him.

He said, “In the next 90 days, INEC shall conduct a fresh election in Ebonyi South, and the decision as to who becomes the Senator shall be yours. The forthcoming election represents our collective victory and an opportunity to permanently bury the primitive push for a selfish family dynasty.

“Happily, critical lessons have been learned by all stakeholders from the February election and should be collectively applied to improve the electoral outcome this time around. By doing so, the people will ensure that the rightfully elected candidate is declared after the re-run election. My humble appeal is that we remain motivated, active, and vigilant to protect the will of the people when the re-run eventually holds.

“I have been inundated by many who want to know my next line of action, whether or not I will participate in the forthcoming re-run. My answer remains the same: being a product of the people’s will, it is the people that will determine my next move. I have commenced appropriate consultations, the outcome of which will determine my eventual decision and shall also be made public,” Okorie said.

He further called on the people of Ebonyi South and his supporters to remain calm and resolute, stressing that he would never succumb to any intimidation, persecution and manufactured challenges as long as he has the backing of his people.