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Kantigi affirmed as PDP candidate in Niger state

By Ameh Ochojila, Abuja
22 November 2022   |   3:38 am
A Federal High Court, Abuja has affirmed Liman Isa Kantigi as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship election in Niger State.

A Federal High Court, Abuja has affirmed Liman Isa Kantigi as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship election in Niger State.

The defendants in the suit, filed by Hon. Sani Idris Kutigi, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/804, are Peoples Democratic party (PDP); Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Liman Isa Kantigi as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

Kutigi had approached the court challenging that the 1st defendant ought not to have cleared the 3rd respondent to participate in the primaries, alleging submission of false documents.

Justice Zainab Abubarkar, in her judgment, dismissed the suit brought by the plaintiff for not being properly constituted and for lacking in the cause of action.

The court also held that the matter being a pre-election matter, the cause of action was expected to crystallise 14 days after the action, and that the suit was filed before conduct of the primaries.

Justice Zainab held that since the plaintiff had no cause of action in the suit, the jurisdiction of the court cannot be activated when the cause of action is not crystalised.

The court also held that it would have assumed jurisdiction if the plaintiff was challenging the actual conduct of the election.

Mohammed Ndayako (SAN), counsel to Kantigi, in reaction advised the plaintiff to join forces with Kantigi and work together as one.

“I believe that this is the time for all political party members to come together and work for the party. The election is just about three months away and litigation is certainly a distraction. So, if you really love this party, it is better we now come together and work in the interest of the party,” he appealed.

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