A registered group of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) under auspices of the Concerned APC Members has rejected the Appeal Court ruling by Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill of Makurdi division, and urged an House of Representatives aspirant, Hon. Linda Ene Agada to proceed to the Supreme Court.
Hon. Agada had challenged the decision of the lower Court which recognised Hon. Philip Agbese as candidate of the APC for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency in the forthcoming general election, claiming that the party did not hold primary election scheduled for 27th May, 2022 across the country in her constituency, but the Appeal Court struck out the case in favour of Hon. Agbese, on the ground that the case was status barred.
But in a statement signed Friday, by the Benue State Coordinator of the APC group, Hon. Victor Ivom, condemned the decision of the Court, even as he asked Agada to approach the Supreme Court for justice.
The statement noted that although the Director General of Agada Campaign Organisation, Hon. Okpokwu Ogenyi, said they had received the judgement in good faith and that the campaign team will study the judgement.
Ivom while faulting the judgement said: “Nigerians are angry on daily bases considering certain activities of public office holders like the Justice Biobele and Justice Abdul Dogo who relied on technicalities instead of the merit of the case.
“The Federal High Court Makurdi division abandoned the merit of the case and frivolously held that 180 days had elapsed even though it was not true.
“In delivering judgment on the 8th February 2023, the court threw away the baby and the bath water together which amounted to miscarriage of justice.
“How can a case file on the 9th of June become status barred on the 5th of December on the grounds of 180 days? The worst scenario is the failure of the Appeal court to correct the errors of the lower court, when Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill also relied on technicalities in a bid to delay justice.
However, we believe in the strength of the constitutional court, which is supreme and just. We make bold to say that Hon. Linda Ene Agada should seek redress at the Supreme Court, where justice shall be served,” the statement said.
