By: Felix Ikpotor
An Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has set aside, two judgments of the Federal High Courts in the state which nullified the nomination of candidates of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, and African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The Federal High Court had sequel to a suit by the Rivers State PDP nullified the nomination of candidates of the two parties for the 2023 elections.
In a unanimous judgement by a three man panel of appeal led by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, the court granted the prayers of the appellants who are ADP and ADC.
Kolawole while reading the judgment said the Federal High Court should not have entertained the suit and held that the two political parties validly nominated their candidates and should participate in the forthcoming elections.
Recall that the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Turaki Mohammed had invalidated the nomination of Five House of Assembly candidates of the ADP and seven ADC House of Assembly candidates after PDP in Rivers State dragged them to court over none compliance with the new electoral act. .
Speaking to journalists outside the court room a lawyer to PDP Dike Udenna said they will study the judgement and advise his clients on what to do next.
In an interview, the lawyer to ADP, Donald Otogbo, said the judgment has confirmed that democracy is at work in the State.
Reacting to the judgement, ADP chairman in Rivers State, Christian Kendrick said it’s a victory for the state.
“It’s victory not just for our party but for Rivers State and democracy in Nigeria”.
