Ben Ezechime, Enugu
A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu, Enugu State, has adjourned to February 15 for ruling on a suit filed by, Mr Chika Idoko seeking the disqualification of all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the state in the February/March elections.
Idoko, who is the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Enugu North Senatorial seat in the suit No: FHC/EN/CS/217/2022, had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and all its candidates to the court on grounds that the party’s primary election was in contravention of Section 77 of the Electoral Act 2022.
He prayed the court to declare the exercise void and the party punished in line with extant provisions of the Section 84 of the same Act.
According to Idoko: “The PDP primary election was in contravention of Section 77 of the Electoral Act and should thus be voided.
“The party should also be punished in line with extant provisions of the Section 84 of the same Act.”
His argument is that the party submitted its membership register to INEC on May 6, 2022, less than 30 days to its primary election, contrary to the provisions of the law.
After listening to the arguments of both counsels the presiding Judge, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo adjourned the suit to February 15 for ruling on the preliminary objection and judgement on the substantive suit.
