Get Guardian on GoogleThe Federal High Court in Kaduna State has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election for Kaduna Central Senatorial District and ordered a re-run in 14 days.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had published the name of Lawal Adamu, who was declared winner of the primary. But Usman Ibrahim, who came second, challenged the result in court.
In his ruling, yesterday, the Presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, said the claims by the plaintiff were substantial, likewise the call by INEC and the National Working Committee (NWC) of PDP for a fresh primary, which did not hold.
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He declared the claims by the defendants as null and void and ordered the PDP to conduct fresh primary.
Speaking on the judgment, lead counsel to the plaintiff, Sam Atung (SAN), said: “Today is a good day for the rule of law, constitutionalism and internal democracy within our political parties. The court has delivered judgment and the entire claims of the plaintiff were upheld. Our claim is basically for a repeat primary election that was initially ordered by the PDP NWC for June 4, 2022, which didn’t hold.
“So, as loyal party members, our client decided to approach a Federal High Court for interpretation of the provisions of Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2022. They were ordered to conduct a repeat primary within 14 days from today.”
The INEC counsel promised to comply with the court order, since all the preliminary objections raised by the defendant were dismissed and the plaintiffs’ claims upheld.
However, counsel to the defendant could not speak with journalists after the ruling by the trial judge.
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