Imo APC guber primary: FCT High Court adjourns hearing on the suit filed by Senator Hope Uzodimma

Senator Hope Uzodimma

The FCT High Court sitting in Bwari has adjourned hearing on the suit filed by Senator Hope Uzodimma against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to October 23.

In a suit filed by the lawmaker’s Counsel, Mr. Cyprian Akolisa, before Justice Othman Musa’s FCT High Court, the plaintiff is seeking five reliefs.

In the suit filed by Uzodinma’s Counsel vide, FCT/HC/BW/CV/30618, he sought injunction restraining the All Progressives Congress from conducting fresh primaries, but to rather recognise the earlier one that produced him as candidate to contest the 2019 governorship election in Imo State.

DAILY POST reports that Senator Uzodimma won the APC governorship primaries conducted on October 1 amidst controversy as the incumbent Governor, Rochas Okorocha insisted on his son-in-law, Mr. Uche Nwosu.

Speaking after the Court sitting, Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Cyprian Akolisa expressed optimism that the lawmaker would triumph at the end of the day.

According to him, the mandate to govern Imo people had been given to the lawmaker, insisting that Uzodinma remained the candidate.

“God is going to give us justice because we are relying on the election that was conducted on Oct. 1 that gave Sen. Hope Uzodinma the mandate of APC in Imo State.

“The entire people are happy with what happened on Oct 1.

“All pending applications in the matter were taken by the court before the adjournment, as there were two applications for joinder by two other counsels, of which one said he is representing the interest of some people from Owerri.

“The judge took the suit with the matter that Uche Nwosu had already filed in another court.

“The two were consolidated and the court adjourned till Tuesday.”

Speaking also on the Oct. 18 deadline given by INEC to parties to submit lists of cleared candidates, the counsel said the deadline was for other positions and not for governorship.

He said that the submission of governorship candidates’ names to INEC was slated for November, while praying that the court rules on the matter before then.

Earlier, Justice Othman ordered INEC and the APC to show cause, within 48 hours, why Sen.Hope Uzodinma should not be the governorship candidate of the party in Imo State, having won the primary election.

He also ordered the defendants to make appearance in court within five days, ordering that the matter be given accelerated hearing.

The order followed an ex parte motion filed by Uzodinma, who asked the court to restrain the APC and INEC from processing or forwarding any other name as the Imo state governorship candidate of the party except that of himself.