March 02, (THEWILL) – Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court Jalingo, Taraba state capital, Justice Simon Amobeda on Tuesday declared the elections of the Taraba state All Progressives Congress (APC), null and void.
The elections held on the 24th of October, 2021produced Barr. Ibrahim El-sudi as the state chairman of the party.
While delivering judgement on a case filed by some aggrieved members of the party over the processes that led to the elections, Justice Simon Amobeda said the defendants had violated the guidelines of such elections as enshrined in the political party’s constitution.
He further said that they had also gone ahead to conduct the election against the court order which was given to them earlier restraining them from conducting the elections.
Interacting with the press shortly after the judgement, council to the defendant, Barr. John Odekena Esq expressed displeasure over the judgement and vowed to approach the appeal court after consulting his client.
“The court has given its judgement however, we want to say that this is not the final court. We have the court of appeal and the supreme court and we know that the supreme court has stated categorically, specifically and unequivocally in plethora of cases that intra party disputes are not issues where court can litigate open because they are domestic issues.
“The same supreme court is still in existence so in consultation with our client, we will be ready to roll in to motion our appeal at the Court of Appeal and we will remain undaunted and uncompromising until the final declaration is made on this issue. Until justice is manifestly, undoubtedly and clearly seen to be done to our client.” He said.
Barr. Joy Ezekiel, council to the plaintiffs on her part said the defendants had among other things failed to officially notify its members of the said elections 24 hours before the date of the election as stipulated in the guidelines of the party.
She expressed satisfaction with the judgment, stating that justice had prevailed at the end of a battle that started last year.
Also stating his take on the decision of the court, a contestant for the post of State Organizing Secretary in the said election, Hon Stephen Othaniel, expressed satisfaction with the judgement of the court, maintaining that democracy has come to stay through the defense of the judiciary.
Othaniel said, people who feel they must negotiate the future of APC have been defeated and what is left is for members to work as a family towards claiming their victory in the general elections, come 2023.
Meanwhile, the court has asked the party to conduct fresh congress in the state.
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