Rivers PDP Asks Court to disqualify SDP and Accord Party Candidates from 2023 election

Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has sued for the disqualification of Accord Party, and the Social Democratic Party SDP, Governorship Candidates ahead of 2023 election.

Also joined in the suit is the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Also to be disqualified according to PDP are; Dumo Lulu Briggs , the Governorship candidate of Accord Party, and Maurice Pronen of  SDP in the 2023 general elections  for alleged non-compliance with the new Electoral Act by the parties during their various party primaries.

The suit was brought before a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt over alleged non-compliance to the Electoral Act in the conduct of their party primaries. 

Among others, PDP is asking the Court to compel INEC not to recognize the Governorship candidates of both parties and other candidates, especially those for the National Assembly positions for alleged violation of the same new Electoral Act, 2022.

Presiding Judge, Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam, after listening to the Lawyers, of all the parties, directed them to respond to the process and adjourned the matter to the 29th of July for hearing. 

Our Correspondent reports that the recent development has sent a jolt in spines of supporters of both opposition parties to the ruling PDP in the state.

Before now, Tonye Cole, the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the founder of Sahara Energy Limited and Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor and the immediate past Minister of Transportation have been dragged before a High Court on Criminal charges on the allegations of illegal sale of state assets by the Rivers State Government.