Anambra governorship: Court restrains PDP from recognising Nwoye’s candidacy

Published:August 28,2013

A Port Harcourt court gave the directive.

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday restrained the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising Tony Nwoye as the party’s candidate for Anambra Governorship Election.

The court, presided over by Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, gave the order in Port Harcourt following an originating summons filed by the Anambra state factional chairman of PDP, Ejike Oguebego.

The court also restrained PDP and INEC from accepting the outcome of the primary election conducted by Ken Emeakayi ‘s faction of the party.

It said PDP and INEC should stop further action, pending the hearing of the motion for an interlocutory injunction and motion to set aside the interim order.

The court later adjourned the case to August 30 for hearing

The PDP had recognised and given certificate of return to Mr. Nwoye, who won the primary election conducted by the Emeakayi faction.

The national leadership of the party also summoned Senator Andy Uba and Mr. Oguebego for holding a rival primary election for the governorship poll.

Mr. Oguebego’s faction had elected Mr. Uba as the party’s candidate for the Nov. 16 election.

The PDP Acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Okeke, had urged the police to investigate the parallel convention where Uba emerged as candidate.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the only governorship primary election recognised by the party was the primary election conducted by the electoral panel under the leadership of Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina.

“The organisation of another primary election other than the one referred to above, is a clear breach of our party’s constitution and is therefore totally unacceptable and cannot be condoned,’’ the statement said.

It said that those involved in the illegal primaries were to appear before the party`s National Working Committee for alleged breach of the party`s constitution.

It added that they would appear for preliminary hearing at the national headquarters to show reasons why disciplinary action should not be taken against them.

Others invited by the PDP include Chris Uba, Benji Udeozor and Tonia Nwankwu.

(NAN)