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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, yesterday, fixed September 13, 2023 for hearing of pending applications and substantive suit in the suit challenging the eligibility of Great Joshua Machiver, the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressive Candidate (APC) in the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa state.
One of the party’s aspirants, Isikima Johnson, had in a suit numbered FHC/YNG/CS/114/2023 approached the court insisting that Machiver was not eligible to run for the November 11poll.
In the petition, Johnson listed the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), the party’s governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva and his running mate, Machiver as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents respectively.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, the Presiding Judge, Olaide Quadri, was briefed by the plaintiff counsel, K.E. Leizou on the pending application meant to convert originating summons to pleadings.
Leizou also reminded the court of the 180 days life span of the pre-election suit and the need for urgency to meet the November date.
Benjamin Ogbara, who stood in for Dr. Ogu Onoja, the counsel to Sylva and Machiver, told the court of the clients’ pending notice of preliminary objection,insisting that the matter was statute barred.
Counsel to INEC, Ayi Obaseki, also informed the court that she is filing necessary processes and application because she was only directed by the National Headquarters of the commission to respond.
Justice Olaide Quadri, however, after due consideration of the lief span of the suit and the holidays before the court, declare readiness to hear the various pending applications.
He also warned the counsels of any attempt to device delay tactics and ordered that all necessary addresses should be served without delay.
He said he would not condone filing of addresses on the day of hearing.
The judge adjourned the matter to September 13 for hearing of all pending applications and substantive suit.
