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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Attempt by the Lamidi Apapa’s faction of the Labour Party (LP) to stop Athan Achonu from participating in the governorship election in Imo State has suffered a major setback at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.
The court turned down the request of the Apapa’s faction to kick out the candidate from the poll.
Ruling in an ex-parte application argued by counsel to the faction, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, Justice Inyang Ekwo, disagreed with the move to shovel out Achonu from contesting the poll through ex-parte means.
Rather than granting the request, Justice Ekwo 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 applied for an order of 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.
The group also sought for order of mandatory injuction compelling INEC to recognise and upload the name of Ukaegbu Joseph as the authentic gubernatorial and flagbearer of the party in Imo State.
The faction further demanded a mandatory order against INEC that the name of Lamidi Apapa be uploaded as the national chairman and Alhaji Lawal Saleh as national secretary.
However, Justice Ekwo after listening to the motion said he would not grant such 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.
He has fixed further mention in the matter till November 10 to enable Apapa’s faction present its grievances and INEC to respond with its defence.
