ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Wednesday, upheld the Labour Party primary of 9 June that produced Mr. Splendour Eze as the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state.
Also, the court nullified the primary held on Tuesday, 2 August, 2022, which produced Edward Nkwegu as another governorship candidate of the party in the state, saying it was illegal.
In his ruling, Justice Fatun Riman said the party primary held earlier in June was still authentic as the candidate, Mr. Eze, has not withdrawn from the race.
Justice Riman stated that another candidate could not emerge in a political party until a candidate, who was validly nominated, withdrew from the race.
Commending the judgement, Counsel to Eze, Barr Michael Odoh noted that his client has not withdrawn from the race.
According to Odoh, the court has said it and my client remains the authentic candidate of the Labour Party in Ebonyi as he has not withdrawn.
“My client is the governorship candidate of LP and he has not withdrawn. And not until he withdraws, no other candidate can emerge as a candidate in that party.
“The court had upheld the primary that was conducted earlier in June in favour of Splendour and set aside the purported second primary held yesterday, August 2, 2022.
“People should abide by the electoral act and party guidelines. If you want to take over from a candidature of a political party, where a candidature was validly nominated and the name of the person already forwarded to INEC; the person has to withdraw his candidature in writing, then after that withdrawal, that is when another person can take over.
“My client, Splendour remains the governorship candidate of Labour Party in the state and no other person,” Odoh explained.
In his reaction to the judgement, Eze described it as victory for the youths and against money bags.
Eze commended the judiciary for standing up to its responsibilities.
According to him, “with the victory, the coast was clear for me to emerge victorious at the 2023 general elections.”