…As Court Nullifies All Primaries
…APC May Not Participate in 2023 Elections
The 2019 exclusion saga which stopped the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State from participating in the elections has re-echoed as a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 nullified all primaries conducted by the APC for unlawful exclusion.
The court presided over by Hon. Justice Obile, ruled on a matter brought by George Orlu and others against the All progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State.
The judge in what was described as a well considered judgement nullified the congresses of the APC that brought about its candidates.
The judge while ruling in favour of the plaintiffs said the action of the APC to exclude the plaintiffs was in contravention of its constitution and the electoral act, by unlawfully excluding her members from participating in processes they had paid for.
The judge described the action of the APC to have excluded the plaintiffs as undemocratic and unconstitutional.
It will be recalled that in 2019 the APC in Rivers State was also excluded from the general elections for excluding members of the party loyal to Senator Magnus Abe after they had bought their forms and money paid into the account of the APC.
The court held that the names sent by Amaechi’s faction of the APC and the National Working Committee of the APC to INEC for the 2019 general election were illegal and should be disregarded.
The court held that the APC in Rivers State has no power to nominate and sponsor any candidate for the 2019 general election.
The court ruled specifically that the APC cannot participate in the Governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly during the 2019 polls in Rivers State.
