2023: Umo Eno, PDP wins again
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, today, Wednesday, December 7, 2022, dismissed appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/1120/2022 brought to it by MR. Jeremiah Otu Inyang against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and four others challenging the primaries of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State for non inclusion of statutory delegates.
The Court affirmed an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which dismissed the matter.
Delivering judgement in the case, Justice Ogakwu held that the ward chairmen that instituted the suit had no locus standi to challenge the out come of the primaries in Akwa Ibom State.
The Court of Appeal further held that the cause of action was not justiciable being an internal and domestic affairs of the PDP. The Court went on to uphold the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court.
The Court however held that Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 2022 was outside the powers of the National Assembly as the National Assembly has no vires or powers to legislate on who are to be delegates of political parties as this is purely domestic affairs of the political party.
The PDP legal team was led by Utibe Nwoko Esq, who appeared alongside Enyinmfon Nwoko Esq and Utibeima-Abasi Uwemedimo Nwoko Esq.
With the judgement, Pastor Umo Eno, the PDP Governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State has jumped another ‘judicial’ hurdle, confirming his position, once again, as the authentic choice of the party to fly its flag during the Match 2023 elections.
