By NewsBits
The battle for the lone governorship ticket oft the Labour Party in Enugu is far from over, as the order for a repeat primary may have to wait until the Supreme Court gives the final verdict.
Rt. Hon Chijioke Edeoga whose ticket is being challenged has appealed the recent Court judgement which nullified his nomination as Enugu Labour Guber candidate. In the suit filed by Capt Evarest Nnaji (Odengene) the Abuja High Court ordered a repeat primary in 14 days.
Senatorial candidate of the Labour Party in Enugu North Zone, Chief Okey Ezea who briefed newsmen shortly after a party meeting in Enugu Thursday, expressed confidence that the judgement will be upturned.
Ezea, a lawyer, also noted that the tussle is not an intra party conflict, “it is the PDP against Labour Party. The PDP in Enugu is using surrogates who claim to be Labour Party.”
He recalled that Odengene had approached a Federal High Court in Porthacourt for an exparte order but later withdrew the suit.
“We were surprised when he came up again with another suit. He claims that he gave the party leadership N25m to be made candidate, which is an illegal contract.”
On the grounds of appeal, Chief Ezea noted that Odengene failed to join the candidate who had earlier emerged, and his name sent to INEC, in the suit, which he said did not give Edeoga fair hearing.
Ezea quoted Odengene to have said he didn’t participate in the primary and didn’t know where and when it was held.
“Therefore, by the definition of the law he has no locus to bring the action. He said he was not informed, but has failed to point out the electoral law that was so breached’
Chief Ezea described the Court judgement against Edeoga as a contrived judgement that cannot stand. “There are nine grounds of appeal which includes: that the Court erred in law by holding that Odengene is an aspirant.
“That the action was incompetent having not joined Edeoga in the suit. That the court erred in law when it put itself out to enforce an illegal contract.” Ideke, as he is fondly called said the party is not worried and has rolled out timetable for the campaigns to be led by their guber candidate Chijioke Edeoga.
