The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice Ekwo, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and publish the names of candidates produced by the Dan Orbih faction also known as the Legacy Group of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the primary held in May, this year.
Some of the andidates who emerged winners at the party’s primary conducted in Edo State by the Dan Orbih faction are Ogbeide Ihama, Pascal Ugbome, Chief Mike Onolememen, Patrick Giwa, Hon. Lucy Omagbon, Barrister Nosa Adams, amongst others.
Justice Ekwo in his ruling directed the INEC to accept and recognize them as candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State for the 2023 general elections.
Justice Ekwo frowned at INEC for disobeying his earlier order to accept and recognize the PDP primary conducted by Chief Dan Orbih faction for the purpose of electing candidates for next year’s election.
Hon. Ogbeide Ihama, Hon. Larry Ogieva , Hon. Lucy Omagbon , Patrick Giwa and others had approached Hon. justice Ekwo of the federal high court 5, Abuja seeking an order for INEC to only recognize the Chief Dan Orbih led faction of the party primary conducted on 18 of May, 2022.
Justice Ekwo in the Suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/808/2022, had earlier issued an order directing INEC to only accept and recognize the candidates that emerged from the Dan Orbih faction primary, which was not complied with.
The judge frowned at the failure of the commission to obey his order, and threatened to wield the big stick if at the next hearing date it was not complied with.
But INEC lawyer Abdul Sani (SAN), had told the court that the commission had written to Dr. Iyiochia Ayu-led National Working Committee to forward the particulars of the candidates with whom an order was made for them to upload and display for claims and objections as provided for by the electoral act.
Sani also tendered before Justice Ekwo a letter written by the commission to the PDP national chairman demanding for the particulars of the said candidates.
The Judge adjourned further sitting in the case till July 7, 2022.
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