POLITICS

Wike’s preferred governorship candidates sue PDP over planned suspension 

Two governorship candidates backed by the Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike have sued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its alleged plan to suspend them.

The affected candidates are Siminlalayi Fubara and Sandy Onor, who are the PDP flag bearers in Rivers and Cross Rivers respectively.

Equally suing the party are its deputy governorship and house of assembly candidates in both states.

In the suit filed before the Federal High Court, the plaintiffs are seeking an order restraining the PDP from taking the action against them.

They are seeking to restrain the party and its leadership from giving effect to their alleged plot to suspend them.

They are equally praying the court to declare that the threat to suspend, expel or tamper with their rights as members of PDP and its candidates at the general election on account of the disagreement between the party’s national executives and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike amounts to a denial of their rights.

The plaintiffs affirm that the alleged plan infringe on their fundamental rights guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 10 and 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, CAP. AQ, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

The plaintiffs are also seeking an order of injunction restraining INEC from according any recognition to any suspension or expulsion or any other act(s) of the 1st to 5th respondents designed to violate their fundamental rights.

Objecting, Johnson Usman (SAN), who is counsel for the PDP, said the court should dismiss the suit. He argued that the suit is defective and incompetent.

Usman added that the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter, because its an intra-party affair.

He equally said the plaintiffs have no reasonable cause of action and, therefore, the suit should be dismissed.

Both parties at the hearing applied to the court for an extended time to allow them regularise their processes, a request the trial judge, Iyang Ekwo granted.

Justice Ekwo then adjourned hearing in the suit till March 24.

 

 

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