Disqualification of C’River Senatorial Candidate: LP requests a stay of execution and files an appeal

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The Labour Party has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja for a stay of execution on the decision that disqualified their candidate for the Cross River Southern Senatorial District, Mr Daniel Asuquo.

The party said in a statement signed by its State Chairman, Ambassador Ogar Osim, and released Wednesday evening that it was prepared to appeal the High Court decision to the Appeal Court.

Hon Daniel Asuquo, also known as Dansuki, served in the House of Representatives for 12 years, representing the Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency.

Justice A.R. Muhammed presided over the court that overturned the Labour Party’s primaries in Calabar for the Cross River State Southern Senatorial District.

The court disqualified Asuquo and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove him from the ballot.

Asuquo Ekpenyong jnr., the APC candidate for the same senatorial seat, had dragged the LP candidate to court over allegations that the LP did not follow due process in conducting the senatorial primary.

Osim responded by arguing that they met all of the requirements and followed ab goll of the procedures.

“Asuquo duly resigned from his former party,” he explained. His letter of resignation was duly published and widely distributed.

“In accordance with the party’s constitution, he formally approached our party and formally registered at his local ward.”

“I also want to confirm that our party followed due process in conducting the primary election that resulted in Hon Daniel Asuquo being elected as our candidate for the Cross River Southern Senatorial District.”

Security agencies, INEC officials, and party dignitaries from the national headquarters, according to the LP chairman, were present during the primary election.

He claimed that co-contenders from other parties for the Senatorial seat were afraid of their candidate’s popularity, who has spent 12 years in the green chambers representing the Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency.