By:Felix Ikpotor
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Monday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, not to recognise candidates of both factions of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State for this year’s general elections.
The order was given sequel to a suit instituted by the senator representing Rivers South East, Magnus Ngei Abe praying the court to declare him and other products of the direct primaries conducted by the Chief Peter Odike led faction of the party as the rightful candidates for the election.
Justice J.K Omotosho in his ruling said that following the nullification of the congresses of the APC in Rivers state, by Justice Chiwendu of a Rivers State High Court, the direct and indirect primaries conducted by both factions of the party were built on nothing.
Justice Omotosho therefore declined the request of Abe and forty-three others asking to be declared as authentic candidates of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State.
The judge said the restraining order on INEC is binding until a higher court sets aside the ruling of Justice Chiwendu Nworgu nullifying the congress and primaries conducted by the APC in the state.
It would be recalled that Prince Peter Odike and Ojukaye Flag-Amachree conducted separate primaries in the state which produced separate candidates.
