From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The Peoples Democratic Party[PDP] Enugu state chapter,has reaffirmed Dr Anayo Onwuegbu,as the validly nominated candidate of the party in Enugu state for the contest of next Federal legislator of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency,in the 2023 general elections.
PDP through it’s lawyer,Maxwell Orah, made the clarification on Friday,at Federal High Court Enugu,while disagreeing with the plea from one Mr Okechukwu Nnaedozie,who urged the court to declare the PDP primary election for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency,conducted on May 22,won by Dr Onwuegbu, as null and void.
PDP lawyer,Maxwell Orah, in his preliminary objection urged the court to dismiss the suit, saying that it was filed out of time. He stressed that the law clearly states that any pre- election matter must be filed within 14 days after the declaration of the primary results,but in this case,Hon Nnaedozie filed his application 16 days,describing the application as ‘out of time and frivolous’
The party therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit “as same has become statute barred, hence the court can no longer entertain same”.
PDP further argued that Nnaedozie’s suit lacked jurisdiction on the grounds that he did not participate in the said primary election,therefore he has no locus standi to institute the action.
However, Mr. Okechukwu Nnaedozie in his suit filed at the Federal Court, claimed that he was unlawfully excluded from participating in the primary election.
He pleaded the court to declare the PDP primary election for Awgu/Aninri/Oji River Federal Constituency held on May 22, 2022 as null and void,claiming it was conducted in gross violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and the relevant sections of PDP’s electoral guidelines for conduct of primary elections.
Nnaedozie in his suit,joined Onwuegbu, PDP and INEC as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively.
After listening to the various applications filed by the parties,Justice .F.O.G Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court Enugu,fixed October 7,2022 for hearing on the pre election matter.
It could be recalled that Dr Anayo Onwuegbu defeated Hon Toby Okechukwu,the incumbent federal lawmaker of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency, to emerge as the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections. To the effect and in compliance with the party guidelines and the electoral act, the PDP has submitted Dr Onwuegbu’s name along others, to Independent National Electoral Commission[INEC].
It was gathered that Dr Onwuegbu was highly favoured by most of the delegates in the peaceful but keenly contested PDP party primaries for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency against the incumbent.Hon Toby Okechukwu, based on the Enugu state PDP zoning principle which favoured Oji River local government area to produce the next federal legislator of the constituency in 2023.
Dr Onwuegbu hails from Oji River local government area,whereas Hon Toby Okechukwu,who is a three term consecutive federal lawmaker of the constituency hails from Awgu local government area. Hon Toby Okechukwu who came second in the primary election accepted his defeat by Dr Onwuegbu in the said primary election in good fate. Whereas,Hon Nnaedozie,who did not participate in the said primary went to court,with claims that he was unlawfully excluded.
Meanwhile,Hon Toby Okechukwu,has denied allegations that he re joined the contest for Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency in 2023,on the platform of Labour party. Hon Okechukwu made the clarification a fortnight ago, stating he still belongs to PDP and is not contesting any elective position in 2023.
