Disqualification of Enugu PDP: Labour Party applies to join suit

The Labour Party has indicated interest to become a party in the suit seeking the disqualification of all the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates for the 2023 general elections in Enugu State.

It was learnt that the suit, earlier filed at the Federal High Court Abuja has been transferred to the Enugu Division of the Court.

The suit, seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP from fielding candidates for all positions available, including governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly in the State during the 2023 General Elections, was originally filed by the Action Democratic Alliance Senatorial candidate for Enugu North Senatorial District, Comrade Chika Emmanuel Idoko.

The matter has been slated for hearing on November 24.

Labour party’s motion for joinder, according to court filings made on its behalf by Messrs Chukwudei Igwe, Emeka Abba, Helen Ugwu, and Oluseyi Adegbejo, was brought, brought pursuant to Order 26 Rules 1 & 2, Order 9 rule 14 (2) (b) of the Federal High Court of Nigeria (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and averred that as a political party, Labour Party is an interested party in the suit, being a political party with interest in the elections.

Listed as respondents in the suit, No FHC/EN/CS/217/22 are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidates for the elections.

The claimants are alleging that the PDP violated provisions of the Electoral Act, which prescribes a minimum number of days of notice before conducting the party primaries that produced the candidates that it submitted to INEC ahead of the 2023 elections, and thus should be prevented by the Court from taking part in the elections.

It seeks a declaration that “by the interpretations of the express provisions of Sections 82(5) and 84(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the failure of the 2nd defendant to submit the register of members 30 days to the primary election to the 1″ defendant as statutorily required renders the 2nd defendant’s primary election for nomination of the 3rd to 38th Defendants as candidates for Governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly in Enugu State for the 2023 General Election held on 21st, 22nd, 24th and 23 and 25th May 2022 invalid.”