From Paul Ibe, Enugu
The thirteen Local government Chairmen in Ebonyi state have been sacked.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, today relived the chairmen, vice Chairmen and Councillors elected during last year’s council polls in the state of their job.
In a judgment delivered on the suit filled by one of the candidates in the election, Alieze Nweka of Ohaukwu council Area, the court ruled that the open ballot system used in the conduct of the exercise was inconsistent with the electoral law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The presiding Judge, Justice Mauren Onyetenu, further ruled that the Ebonyi State House of Assembly which adopted the open ballot system acted ultra vires. According to her, the amendment of the local government law by the state legislators was unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, the development has thrown the entire state into confusion but the affected chairmen are said to have concluded plan to appeal the judgment.
