Brave Dickson
A federal High Court in Port Harcourt has reserved this Friday, April 5, 2019, for ruling on a suit brought by the Rivers State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Precious Elekima to cancel the state election held on March 9, 2019.
Citing section 26 of the Electoral Act as amended, the plaintiff in his interlocutory application is praying the court to stop the collation process of the election and consequently cancel the entire election on grounds of rigging.
The plaintiff through his lawyer, Barr Somina Elekima also objected to an application of joinder brought before the court by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The plaintiff argued that only INEC infringed on his right of fair hearing when the fact-finding committee of INEC visited the state on March 11, noting that PDP will only delay the suit if allowed to join.
“We do not have any issue with PDP. It was only INEC who infringed on our right of fair hearing we brought to court. PDP’s intention to join in this matter is an attempt to delay the speedy concluded of this suit, “Barr Somina said.
The SDP guber candidate’s legal action against INEC came after he alleged that the fact-finding committee of the commission only visited PDP and AAC governorship candidates of the state which he viewed as an infringement on his right of fair hearing.
Justice Hilary Oshomah, after consolidating the interlocutory and joinder applications, adjourned the suit for ruling.
