Court Stops PDP’s Recognition Of Nwoye In Anambra

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 the November 16 Anambra governorship election.

The court, presided over by Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, gave the order 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 adjourned the case to August 30 for hearing.

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

Andy Uba had emerged factional winner in another primary election held concurrently by INEC’srecognised chairman of the state’s chapter of the party, Oguebeo.

But the national leadership of the party gave recognition to Nwoye and had summoned Uba andOguebego to appear before the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, for holding a rival primary election for the governorship poll.

“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 IbrahimShema of Katsina,” the party’s acting national publicity secretary, Tony Okeke said.

Okeke added that the holding of the other primary was  “a clear breach of our party’s constitution and is therefore totally unacceptable and cannot be condoned.”