Supreme Court upholds Chuba-Okadigbo’s candidacy
- Details
- Published on Friday, 06 July 2012 21:30
- Written by Admin
Abuja – The Supreme Court on Friday in Abuja affirmed Mrs Margery Chuba-Okadigbo of the PDP as the winner of the April 2011 National Assembly election for Anambra North Senatorial district. Delivering the judgment, Justice Rodes Vivour, held that the appeal against the candidacy of the wife of the former and the late Senate President
was frivolous.
Vivour said that the appellant did not contest the party primary that saw the emergence of the respondent.
Prince John Emeka had appealed the decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja that declared the respondent as the winner of the election.
“The Electoral Act is very clear on the powers of the political parties to choose their candidates, and the National Executive Committee of the party conducted the primary that elected the respondent as their candidate.
“They went further to say that the appellant (Prince John Emeka) did not participate in that primary. The law, therefore, forbids Emeka from challenging the candidacy of the respondent.
“The appeal is hereby declared a mere academic exercise and therefore, fails, it is dismissed with no cost,’’ he said.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja, had on Dec. 16, 2011 declared Chuba-Okadigbo winner of the April 16, 2011 Anambra North Senatorial election.
The appellate court held that Chuba-Okadigbo was the legitimate winner of the senatorial primary for the district conducted by the PDP.
Emeka had claimed to have won the PDP primary election with 1,156 votes as against Igbeke’s 74 votes, adding that Chuba-Okadigbo did not contest the primary election.
Igbeke, who later joined as an interested appellant, was earlier declared winner of the primary election by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, the apex court on July 5 fixed Nov 15 for the hearing of Igbeke’s appeal on the matter.
The Anambra North Senatorial Seat has been vacant for more than a year after the election was held. (NAN)
Stone Age Homes, Abuja. Contact us for Blocks, Granites, Sharp sand, Interlocks, Security doors, Suspended ceilings, Door locks.
