From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, Taraba has nullified the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that produced Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as the candidate of the party for the 2023 election.
The court also ordered a fresh primary for the position to be conducted within fourteen days.
One of the aspirants at the primary, Chief David Sabo Kente had approached the court to challenge its conduct and prayed the court to order a fresh one among other prayers.
In his ruling, the presiding judge Simeon Amobeda posited that the defendant could not convince the court that there was primary elections through which he emerged as the flag bearer for the party and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Bwacha.
Reacting to the judgement, Counsel to Bwacha, Ibrahim Iffiong (SAN) said that he will study the judgement and consult with his client to decide if they would proceed on appeal.
Kente said the ruling proved that the era of impunity was over.
He said the evidence before the court which influenced the decision have vindicated his position and that of most of the party supporters in the state that indeed there was no primary even as he urged party faithful to remain calm.