Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High
Court, Abuja yesterday ordered the sack of
Emeka Godwin Idu, a Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) member of House of Representatives
representing Onitsha North/South Federal
Constituency of Anambra State.
The judge also ordered the cancellation of the
Certificate of Return issued him (Idu) by the
Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC).
Justice Ademola was ruling in a suit by Lynda
Chuba-Okadigbo, who challenged the decision
of the party to substitute her name after being
accepted by the party’s National Working
Committee (NWC), with that of Idu.
Chuba-Ikpeazu had filed the suit on March 18,
2015, seeking among others to set aside the
party’s decision.
The PDP, INEC, the National Working
Committee of the PDP and Idu were
defendants in the suit. But INEC did not file any
defence.
Justice Ademola held that the substitution of
Chuba-Ikpeazu was wrong because it did not
confirm with the requirement under the law.
He held that legitimate substitution could only
occur where the original candidate voluntarily
withdraw or where he/she dies.
Justice Ademola ordered the Speaker and the
Clerk of the National Assembly to swear in
Chuba-Ikpeazu as replacement for Idu
immediately.
The judge, who held that the plaintiff’s suit
succeeds, granted all the prayers sought by the
plaintiff.
He held that the substitution of her name with
that of Idu violated sections 31(2)(j) and 50 of
the PDP constitution; sections 31(1)(2) and 33
of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended); section
222(c)of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria and Article 25 (xii) of the
Electoral Guidelines for Primary Elections,
2014 of the PDP.
He dismissed the contention of Idu’s lawyer
Alex Izinyon (SAN) that the court had no
jurisdiction over the case since it was a pre-
election matter that could only be entertained
by a state High Court.
Justice Ademola granted four ancillary orders
“to meet the justice of the case and give effect
to the court’s judgment.
“The plaintiff, Honourable Lynda Chuba-
Ikpeazu, is hereby declared as the 1st
defendant’s (PDP’s) candidate for the House of
Representatives with regard to the Onitsha
North/South Federal Constituency.
“It is also declared that the plaintiff,
Honourable Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu, is the
honourable member representing Onitsha
North/South Federal Constituency in the
Federal House of Representatives for this
session.
“The 4th defendant, Godwin Emeka Idu, is
ordered to vacate that seat in the Federal
House of Representatives whilst the certificate
of return issued to him is hereby cancelled.
“The 2nd defendant, INEC, is hereby ordered to
issue certificate of return to Honourable the
rightful member representing Onitsha North/
South in the House of Representatives.
“Finally, the Honourable Speaker of the House
of Representatives and the Clerk of the
National Assembly are ordered to swear in
Honourable Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu as member
representing Onitsha North/South Federal
Constituency in the Federal House of
Representatives forthwith,” the judge said.

Source:thenationonlineng.net/new/court-sacks-anambra-pdp-rep/

Justice served!

ok

Shouldn't there be reelections then?

Lovely
I HATE INJUSTICE

yaaaawwwn

Just watch how PDP will accept the court's declaration unlike those who specialise in condemning anything.

Oya let the reshuffle be done immediately and let's move on to other things before APC condemns the judgement too.

Congrats to Chuba and "try again to Idu.

Pdp continues to loose relevance indirectly, next on the line might be buruji kashamu

Lynda Chuba-Ikpeazu not Chuba-Okadigbo.


Nice one! Lady Justicia is blind to any person or status. We expect more of this, even in the party that has no respect for internal democracy.

One by one...


Wike you are next...

Sabi you dey re-instate your colleague 6month illegal governor ( your own fit no reach 6month)

handie:
Source:thenationonlineng.net/new/court-sacks-anambra-pdp-rep/

Ghen ghen

Alkidam:
Pdp continues to loose relevance indirectly, next on the line might be buruji kashamu

This what you get wen u have akamu - filled brain

Can apc candidate name be substituted with that of pdp

Sirnokiopee:
One by one...
Wike you are next...
Sabi you dey re-instate your colleague 6month illegal governor ( your own fit no reach 6month)