Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has strike out suit by the People’s Democratic Party in Rivers State seeking to stop All Progressives Congress National Assembly candidates from contesting the 2023 general elections.
The PDP had filed a suit asking the court to direct the Independent National Electoral Commission to delist APC in the ballot with the claims that the Congresses and primary that brought in the National Assembly candidates did not comply with the new electoral act.
But presiding judge, Justice TURAKI MOHAMMED in his judgment strike out the PDP suit against APC for lack of jurisdiction and doctorly of state decides which insisted that lower court can not have anything to do on a matter that appellate court had taken decision on.
Justice MOHAMMED also based his judgment on Appeal court judgment and especially the decision of Port Harcourt division of appeal court on a judgment arising from his judgment in a similar matter and thereby struck out the PDP suit.
Addressing newsmen outside, one of the Counsels to APC, EMENIKE EBETE said judgment has given APC national Assembly candidates to power to contest freely in parts of Rivers State and be ready for 2023 general elections without any form of hindrance.
On his part, the APC Candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District, ASITA HONOURABLE ASITA commended the judge for respecting the law in his judgment which he said has given room for the party to participate and win the People’s Democratic Party led by governor NYESOM WIKE who he accused of using Rivers resources to waste in court.
Our correspondent reports that Counsel to PDP declined comment.