The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on Tuesday set aside two federal high court judgments that invalidated the nominations of Action Democratic Party (ADP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) House of Assembly candidates in Rivers State.
The Lead Judge, Justice Gabriel Kolawole while delivering his judgment on the two different appeals granted the prayers of the appellants. Justice Kolawole said the lower court ordinarily should not have entertained the suit. The Judge after that said the two political party candidates for the position of the House of Assembly were validly nominated and could participate in the forthcoming general elections.
Recall that the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Turaki Mohammed had invalidated the nomination of ADP five House of Assembly candidates and seven ADC House of Assembly candidates after PDP in Rivers State dragged them to court over none compliance with the new electoral act.
The court of Appeal judgment now reinstated these affected constituencies ADP will field candidates are: Emohua, Eleme, Bonny, Omuma, and Oyigbo State House of Assembly.
One of the lawyers to PDP Dike Udenna in an interview with newsmen said they have applied for the certified true copy of the judgement and in couple of days they will get it and advice their client accordingly.
In an interview, the lawyer to ADP, Donald Otogbo, explained that this judgment has confirmed that democracy is at work in the State.
