The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia Friday, reserved judgment on the matter that will determine the validity of Prof. Uche Ikonne’s governorship ticket under Peoples Democratic Party, PDP till a date to be announced.
The suit was filed on behalf of Samson Orji challenging the PDP primaries of 25th of May, 2022.
Orji had through his counsel filed originating summons challenging the competence of that primaries which was adopted.
The filing of preliminary objections by the defendant challenging the matter that the plaintiff has no right challenging the conduct of that primaries as he withdrew from the primaries and other counter affidavits were all adopted, including their motion for the extension of time and the plaintiff’s counter affidavits.
In his ruling, the Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Evelyn Anyadike said that all arguments will be consolidated as one full judgment, instead of taking them in piecemeal, which include affidavits for extension of time, preliminary objections, jurisdiction of the Court to hear the matter and the substantive suit.
Reacting, the lead counsel to Hon. Orji said “The ball now lies with the court. We have done our part and is now left for the court. It can go either way”.
Orji, also known as SCUORJ has been in court since June 7, challenging the legality of the primaries that produced Prof Uche Ikonne as the party’s guber candidate, citing irregularities in the conduct of the party’s three-man congress and asking the court to nullify the primaries, and declare him the PDP governorship candidate for Abia.
He is also saying that he did not withdraw from the primaries, faulting the three-man ad-hoc congress which he alleged was not properly conducted by the party.
According to him, there is no evidence of any withdrawal letter signed by him and submitted to his party as required by the Electoral Act, explaining that he fully participated in the primary and is in court to challenge the non-compliance of the party with due process in the conduct of the ad-hoc congress.
