In what could best be described as the last straw that breaks the Carmel’s back, the Federal High Court Sitting in Abuja has ruled against the inclusion of the PDP on the ballot in the rerun elections scheduled for saturday in Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency and Plateau North Senatorial elections.
Recall that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had ordered INEC to conduct a rerun election citing PDP’s lack of structure and consequently it’s lack of compliance with the electoral act.
However, in a twist of events, the Supreme Court in determining the appeal of Gov Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang vs Dr Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe overturned the judgement of the Court of Appeal. The Apex Court ruled that the issue of structure was purely a pre-election matter that ought not to have been entertained by the Election Tribunal in the first instance.
Following the Supreme Court’s judgement, alot of legal gymnastics seeking to interpret the impaction of it on the already sacked PDP legislators have been on.
Delivery the judgement, Justice Okoro of the Supreme Court merely sympathized with the PDP legislators whom the Court ruled were removed unjustly. Wether or not the mere sympathy expressed by the Supreme Court has an effect on the already concluded cases at the Court of Appeal, the PDP not ready to be caught off guard approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking it to constraint the electoral empire, INEC to include it’s logo in the Court of Appeal ordered rerun election.
Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ruled against the inclusion of the PDP on the ballot in the rerun elections scheduled for Saturday in Bassa /Jos North Federal Constituency and Plateau North Senatorial District elections in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/26/2024. Ruling on the matter, presiding judge, Hon Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court ruled that PDP was in the bridge of court processes by seeking an order restraining the implementation of Court of Appeal. Speaking to www.pointblank.com.ng, Bar David Dawam agreed with the position of the Federal High Court. He said since the rerun election was in compliance with the Court of Appeal judgement, PDP cannot seek to set aside a certain portion of the judgment while trying to comply with the other portion. He said the PDP was probating and re-probating at the same time
With the elections just few days ahead, it remains to be seen what position INEC will take and what will the PDP do. The days ahead will surely witness legal marathon
