Ogona Anita
A court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt has struck out suit by the People’s Democratic Party against the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, PATRICK TONYE-COLE, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission over non compliance to electoral act.
The Appeal court also set outside the judgment of Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt over alleged dual citizenship of TONYE-COLE, describing PDP as meddlesome interloper.
The three man panel of appeal in a unanimous judgment said the PDP lack locus standi to challenge APC, it’s Governorship Candidate and INEC on the conduct of the congresses and primary election that brought in the Candidate.
On the issue of dual citizenship, the appeal court in the judgment delivered by Justice OLABODE ADEGBEHINGBE on behalf of the led Judge, Justice JOSEPH IKYEGH said PDP lack the legal right to drag INEC to court in a pre-election matter and that supreme court decision on the issue of citizenship on electoral matter is final.
Speaking to newsmen outside the court, one of the Counsels to APC, CHIMENEM JEROME described the judgment as water shield in Political jurisprudent, saying that the APC had always argued that PDP did not have the locus standi to interfere in the Internal affairs of their clients, the APC which have been proven by the appeal court.
On his part, one of the Counsels to PDP, DIKE UDENNA after explaining the judgment, said although every party has right for appeal but that appealing this particular judgment at the Supreme court will be determined by the client.
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