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

Mr. Linus Okorie, the former LP candidate for the Senate seat in Nigeria’s Ebonyi South zone, pledged on Tuesday to compete in the rerun election, the date of which has not yet been set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

You may remember that David Umahi, the current Minister of Works and a former governor, defeated Okorie in the last general election in 2023.

In the interest of doing what is just and fair, Okorie urged that the next senator should come from his own Onicha Local Government.

Okorie released a statement after the Appeal Court ruled down his petition, in which he vowed to continue his fight to uphold the people’s decision if the re-run is successful.

According to the DAILY POST, President Bola Tinubu declared the seat of Ebonyi South Senatorial District vacant after previous Senator David Umahi resigned and was appointed as a minister.

Umahi had bragged that he had the authority to appoint his successor in the Ohaozara council.

Okorie, however, recalled in the statement how the previous Governor Umahi reportedly deployed armed thugs to harass, abuse, and imprison him for running against him in the election.

In the next ninety days, INEC will hold new elections in Ebonyi South, and the choice of who will represent you in the Senate is entirely up to you, he promised. In the upcoming election, we will have the opportunity to finally put an end to the primal drive for a privileged family dynasty.

“Thank goodness, everyone involved in the election in February has learnt some important lessons that they can use to make this election more successful. By doing so, the people may guarantee that the legitimate winner of the election is announced following the second round of voting. To defend the will of the people after the re-run eventually holds, I humbly implore us to keep up our motivation, activity, and vigilance.

Many people have been asking me recently whether or not I plan to take part in the upcoming re-run. My response hasn’t changed; the people, as the source of my existence, will decide what comes next. I’ve started the right kinds of conversations, and when I’m done, the results will inform my final decision, which I’ll also share with the world,” Okorie added.

He urged the residents of Ebonyi South and his supporters to maintain composure, saying that so long as he has their support, he will not be deterred by threats, persecution, or fabricated obstacles.