Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, has refused Lamidi Apapa’s faction prayer to stop the candidate of Labour Party, Chief Athan Achonu from participating in Saturday’s Governorship election in Imo State.
Ruling in an ex-parte application argued by counsel to the faction, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed SAN, the court rather ordered Apapa and his group members to put the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on notice on the existence of the suit to enable it put up its defense.
The faction had in the ex-parte application marked FCH/ABJ/CS/1357/2023, asked for an interim injunction restraining INEC from recognizing or according recognition to any other person laying claim to the gubernatorial ticket of the party in Imo State slated for November 11 other than Chief Ukaegbu Ikechukwu Joseph who emerged from Apapa led.primary election of April 16, 2023.
They also prayed for an order of mandatory injunction, compelling INEC to recognize and upload the name of Ukaegbu Joseph as the authentic gubernatorial and flag bearer of the party in Imo State.
The faction further demanded for a mandatory order against INEC that the name of Lamidi Apapa be uploaded as the national chairman of the party as well as Alhaji Lawal Saleh as national secretary.
In the ruling, Justice Ekwo turned down the request and ordered the faction to turn the ex-parte motion to motion on notice and serve same on INEC being the sole defendant in the suit.
“I am not granting you this application today and you have to bring INEC to Court to come and explain its own side in this matter,” the Judge said.
Meanwhile, the Judge has fixed further mention in the matter till November 10 to enable Apapa’s faction present its grievances and INEC to respond with its defense.
