The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been sued by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State in order to have the All Progressives Congress’ legislative candidates in the state removed from the ballot for the general elections in 2023.
The argument made in the case before Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam is that the APC’s Senate; as well as House of Representatives primaries were conducted in breach of an Electoral Act clause (amended).
The Rivers PDP has been in front of the judges at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt; seeking an annulment of several primaries held by other political parties. At this Federal High Court-4, lawyers and litigants are preparing for legal arguments on whether or not the National Assembly Primaries conducted by the APC in the State be nullified.
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The PDP is arguing that the primaries, which produced three Senatorial and 13 House of Representatives candidates be nullified; chiefly on the grounds that the exercise was in violation of the Electoral Act.
“These candidates did not emerge from valid primaries and congresses. INEC did not monitor the purported primaries and congresses that they held. Therefore, they are not valid or eligible candidates,” the PDP lawyer said.
At the commencement of proceedings, the PDP lawyer begged for more time to respond to some processes; which the Presiding Judge, Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam granted after an agreement by other parties involved.
The judge, however, declined a request by one of the lawyers. He had appeared himself as a candidate of the APC to notify the court of a pending application.
Addressing reporters outside the courtroom, he explained what his intention was in the open court.
“I appeared in person today because I wanted to let the court know that I sent a petition to the administrative judge of the Federal High Court Port Harcourt Division, asking that His Lordship, Justice Pam recuses himself from the matter because I do not have the confidence I will get justice before that court because of his relationship with the Governor of Rivers State,” he said.
