A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or accepting ad-hoc delegates produced by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State.
The court declared the Ad-hoc delegates produced by Dan Orbih’s faction of the party as authentic and must be recognised and accepted by the electoral body.
Delivering judgment in a suit filed by 581 delegates elected on April 30, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that PDP and other defendants in the suit are bound by Section 84 (5) of the Electoral Act 2022 as well as Section 15 of the PDP Constitution relating to delegates elections.
The 581 delegates instituted the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/598/2022 through their five representatives, Hon. Monday Osagie, Hon Reuben Ekhosuehi, Hon Adeyanba Osaro, Hon Magdalene Osawe and Hon Imariabe Oghogho, with the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature and INEC as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
The Plaintiffs had, in their suit argued by their counsel, Dr John Musa,(SAN) asked the court to determine whether PDP, in view of Section 84 (5) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Section 15 of the PDP constitution can jettison their election monitored by INEC for another one conducted in violation of the provisions of the relevant laws.
Credit: The Nigerian Tribune.
