By: Amb. Valentine Adese (JP),
Yesterday, the 29th of January 2024, the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, presided over by Hon. Justice Emeka Nwiete, declined “Jurisdiction” to entertain the Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/26/2024, filed by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates, Hon. Simon Mwadkon and Hon. Musa Agah Avia, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and 3 others.
The Suit filed by the Plaintiffs was seeking an Order of Mandamus to compel INEC to include PDP’s candidates, Mwadkon and Agah in the Plateau North Senatorial District and Bassa/Jos-North Re-run elections ordered by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
It should be of note that the FHC reached the conclusion of declining Jurisdiction owing to the Preliminary Objection (PO) filed by the Labour Party (LP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and their candidates, who were later joined in the suit.
With the break of the news in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and with less than Four (4) days to the slated Re-run elections fixed for 3rd February 2024, pundits in the state have begun to call on INEC to clear the air on the participation of PDP in the Re-run elections, as huge speculations have continued to take over the Media and Social Media platforms.
You would recall that in INEC’s Press Release signed by, Sam Olumekun (mni), the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, dated Wednesday 17th January 2024, the Commission in part stated that:-
“The Re-run elections are conducted pursuant to the Orders of the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals.
“They are not fresh elections open to New/Disqualified candidates which obviates the need to publish their personal particulars again.”
Also, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Plateau State, in a Press release had come out to debunk reports alleging that he had said PDP would participate in the coming elections.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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