Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Abakaliki Division of the Federal High Court has ordered the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) not use any other delegates list to conduct its primaries other than the one from the congresses conducted by a faction of the party in Ebonyi State.
This followed a motion dated 17th of May but filed on the 18th of May by one Ogbonnaya Ene Odii in suit number FHC/AI/C5/61/2022.
Mr. Odii is believed to belong to a faction of the party led by the State Chairman, Silas Onu, and an aspirant, IfeanyiChukwu Odii.
Two factions had emerged in the state following the court ruling sacking the former Chairman, Tochukwu Okorie and installing Mr Ọnụ as the Chairman.
This led to acrimonious delegate- congress which was rescheduled for about three times before it finally held.
However, the two factions held parallel congresses in the state.
While the congress conducted by the other faction allegedly led by Senator Obinna Ogba was overseen by the Congress Committee sent to the state by the national leadership of the party, the Onu faction’s congress was reportedly conducted by the Local Government returning officers also allegedly sent by the National Leadership of the party.
Both factions have since been battling to ensure that their list of delegates is accepted for the primaries slated to hold this weekend.
The Peoples Democratic Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the first and second respondents in the matter.
Mr Ene Odii had in the motion prayed the court to restrain the PDP from using any delegates list emanating from any ward and Local Government congresses that was not monitored by INEC pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
He also prayed the court for: “An order of this Honourable court restraining the 1st defendant from tampering with the results of the 3-man ward Ad hoc delegates, local government and the national delegates (Local Government) congress contained in exhibits EBNDL 1-13 and EBNDL 1 being the out one of a validly held congress pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
After hearing from the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mudi Erhenede, the Judge, Justice Fatun Riman, granted all the prayers.
He, thereafter, adjourned the matter to May 25 for hearing on the motion on notice.
A Lawyer and member of the party, Steve Ugama, in a reaction dismissed the Court’s decision.
He said: “No court has the jurisdiction to interfere with the internal affairs of a political party. There are plethora of cases that affirms this.”
“They will be celebrating their interim Federal High Court order until the primary elections are over,” he said
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the party, Silas Onu, has urged party faithful across the state to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and be peaceful during the party primaries.
He made the call in a statement issued ahead of the party primaries which is to hold on Sunday in the state.
He noted that the House of Assembly and House of Representatives primaries would hold on Sunday 22nd May 2022, with House of Assembly coming first in the morning while the House of Representatives primaries would be held by 3pm.
He urged Party men and women to comply with the rules of the game.
“The Party has clear guidelines and rules for the exercises. Every aspirant should be guided by the processes. The party will not compromise any of the rules,” he said
Mr. Ọnụ counseled delegates to the primaries and convention to consider the integrity and past accomplishments of aspirants in order to make informed choices of candidates for the elections.
“In making your decisions, consider the interest of the people. Politics is a conveyor belt to serve humanity. The greater interest of our people is paramount.“
The Chairman cautioned against politics of acrimony, bitterness or violence urging them to “see politics like a sporting competition. If you don’t win today, you can win tomorrow.“
He urged them to shun thuggery and touting emphasizing that only accredited delegates will be granted access to the venues of the primaries.
On his part, he assured of a level playing field for all aspirants, saying who ever emerges from the open and transparent elections must be the choice of the people.
He however, urged aspirants and their supporters alike to refrain from combative or inflammatory statements to avoid unnecessary provocation, even as he expressed confidence that the party will produce the best candidates for the elections in 2023 which will position the party to a return to government.
