Ogona Anita
Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has struck out suit by the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State challenging the candidature of SIM FUBARA as the Governorship Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party.
Presiding Judge, Justice EMMANUEL OBILE in his judgment on preliminary objection by PDP, struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction of the court and local standi by APC to interfere in internal affairs of PDP.
Justice OBILE held that the cause of action by APC is status bad as they filed the suit five days after the stipulated fourteen days from the day of the action and that they failed to disclose any reasonable cause of their action , thereby such suit can not stand.
reports that while the Judge refused to go into the merit of the suit, insisted that no political party has right to suit another political party as contained in a session of the law, sustained the preliminary objection by PDP and awarded fifty thousand naira cost against APC in favour of PDP, it’s Governorship Candidate and Deputy.
Speaking to newsmen outside the courtroom, one of the Counsels to PDP, DIKE UDENNA commended the judgment which he said affirmed their early stand that the PDP rightfully nominated their candidates.
On his part, one of the Counsels to APC, CHIMENEM JEROME expressed concern that court that have been assuming jurisdiction in suit filed by PDP to remove candidate of other political parties do not have jurisdiction to hear suit challenging PDP.
CHIMENEM while explaining why their clients approached the court, said the legal team will obtain the judgment, study it and advised their clients appropriately on the next line of action.
Credits -UCHENDU EJIOWHOR
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