Sixteen candidates who were contesting for the Rivers State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been disqualified from the race.
The candidates were disqualified by the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Friday following a suit filed before the court by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The disqualified APC candidates including those who were going for Andoni/Etche constituency 1 and 2; Tai/Gokana/Eleme/Port Harcourt City constituency 1, 2 and 3; Khana constituency 1 and 2, Okrika/Ahoada West and Obio-Akpor 1 and 2 constituencies.
The opposition PDP had filed a suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 33 others at the Federal High Court in the state and prayed the court to disqualify the APC candidates.
The PDP in the suit marked FHC/PH/CS/152/2022, alleged that INEC did not monitor the APC congresses that produced the candidates in the state.
Delivering his judgment on Friday, the presiding judge, Justice Turaki Muhammed dismissed a preliminary objection by the APC on the issue of jurisdiction and locus standi and ruled that the suit was not status barred.
The judge ruled that the PDP proved to the court that the primaries of the affected 16 APC State Assembly candidates were not monitored by the electoral body, INEC.
Reacting to the judgment, the APC Campaign Council in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by its spokesperson, Sogbeye Eli, said that the party was already planning to appeal the High Court ruling.
The statement made available to newsmen stated that “In the circumstance, the Campaign Council is compelled yet again to urge party faithful and millions of Rivers people supporting our candidates in the affected State Constituencies not to despair or be agitated as we proceed on appeal to reverse the judgment and restore our candidates ahead of the elections.
“We recall that the same INEC had led evidence to prove that the Commission monitored the APC primary before another Judge of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division in another matter challenging the eligibility of our candidates for the National Assembly (Senate and the House of Representatives).
“The enemies of democracy in our State who are afraid to meet us at the polls are out to break our spirit and force a fait accompli on the Rivers electorate who are backing our candidates but they have failed.
“We will contest the coming elections at all levels and win after setting aside this judgment as the Constitution allows the All Progressives Congress.”
Democracy in rivers is a game changer for the real people who have liver to contain anything cum harm.
If non monitoring by INEC is truly a crime then the APC gubernatorial candidate in Benue state too stand the chance of losing it’s primary election in the Court. For it was not conducted talk more of monitoring by INEC.
Wike has made Judges in Rivers irresponsible people. The court has ruled in many other instances that another party has no business in the internal affairs of another party. Only contestants has locus standing to complain after primaries. Others are busy body.
Wike the mighty hand has written yet another law of politics……
Wike as a lawyer cannot be fooled or taken for granted.Ayu should adhere to whatever compromise accented to… for peace to reign in PDP.
Sir you are taking rubbish sir.
What’s wike business in this, they said inec did not monitor the process and you want to people to fold their arms and watch all this unscrupulous element to take over the state.. dnt forget that wike is the best governor in the last 7yrs even buhari gave him award for alot of successful project he commission
Sir you are taking rubbish sir.
What’s wike business in this, they said inec did not monitor the process and you want to people to fold their arms and watch all this unscrupulous element to take over the state.. dnt forget that wike is the best governor in the last 7yrs even buhari gave him award for alot of successful project he commission
Rivers State
Wike ✌️
Correct
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1. Peter Obi is more versed Economically sound than other Contenders.
2. Peter OBI’S Leadership is not going to be a “Government by a GANG,” As we had it under PDP and now under APC.
3. With Peter Obi, cost of Governance will be Cheaper and Nigerians will , for the first time be involved in the to running of the affairs of their Country.
4 . Peter Obi is healthier and Stronger than his closest rivals TINUBU and ATIKU. Nigeria will save a lot of money by the President not embarking on Medical Tourism as we have it under Buhari.
5. With Peter Obi, Nigerian Youths will be sure to participate and bring fresh and Vibrant ideas into the Government of Nigeria.
6. With Peter Obi, many Ancient of days Politician will retire from politics giving room for the Young NIGERIANS to take over the affairs of Nigerian for young and vibrant leadership.
7. Peter OBI’S, Government will bring Progress which even oppositions have confessed to.
8. Peter OBI’S Government will place Nigeria in a good position amongst Counties of the world . Nigeria will be more Respected by not being led by a Drug Lord or a world acclaimed Common Treasury Looter.
NIGERIANS, the choice is ours, to progress or to be taken aback. This Election is between Light and Darkness. Good and Evil.
This Election is Between the Vibrant Youths and the far Spent Old politician that put this country in it’s present shameful Condition.
My question to all NIGERIANS is,
My Dear Nigerians 2023, which way ?