PDP Seeks Disqualification Of Accord Party From Rivers Governorship Race

The People’s Democratic Party in Rivers State is asking a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize the Governorship Candidate of the Accord Party, Dumo Lulu-Briggs.

The PDP is hinging its prayers on the argument that the governorship primary conducted by the Accord Party on May 28, which produced businessman,  Lulu-Briggs did not comply with the provisions of the new electoral.

The PDP is also asking the court to order INEC not to recognize the candidates for other elective positions, especially for National Assembly elections for the same reason.

As the case came up for mention today, the Accord Party through its lawyer, Abdullahi Mohammed filed a notice of preliminary objection on the grounds that the PDP is status barred from challenging the conduct of the primary.

The Accord Party also filed a conditional appearance to protest the jurisdiction of the court to hear and determine the suit.

It also submitted that the PDP lacks the locus standi to challenge it on the issue of how a party’s primary was conducted.

Responding to the preliminary objections, lawyer the to PDP, Dike Udenna, asked the court to grant him more time to be able to file appropriate responses to the issues raised by the Counsel to the Accord Party, Abdullahi Mohammed.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Stephen Daylip-Pam, grated the request and adjourned the matter till August 29 for a hearing of the main suit and the preliminary objections raised by the Accord Party.

Outside the courtroom, while the Lawyer of the PDP declined to speak to journalists, counsel to Accord Party and the Party’s Governorship Candidate who was present in court are confident that the outcome of the matter will be in their favour following their points of defence.