A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday turned down the request of the Lamidi Apapa faction of Labour party to remove Athan Achonu, the candidate of Labour party in this weekend’s election in Imo state
Lamidi Apapa’s faction had gone to court to stop Achonu from participating in Saturday’s Governorship election in Imo State.
Rather than granting the request, Justice Inyang Ekwo, ordered Apapa and his group to put the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on notice of the existence of the suit to enable it put up its defence.
The faction had in the ex-parte application marked FCH/ABJ/CS/1357/2023, applied for an order of interim injunction restraining INEC from recognising or according recognition to any other person laying claim to the gubernatorial ticket of the party in Imo State slated for November 11 other than Chief Ukaegbu Ikechukwu Joseph who emerged from Apapa led primary election of April 16, 2023.
The group also sought an order of mandatory injunction compelling INEC to recognise and upload the name of Ukaegbu Joseph as the authentic flagbearer of the party in Imo State.
The faction further demanded a mandatory order against INEC that the name of Lamidi Apapa be uploaded as the national chairman of the party as well as that of Lawal Saleh as national secretary.
However, Justice Ekwo after listening to the motion as argued by the lawyer said he would not grant such a request and ordered the faction to turn the ex-parte motion into a motion on notice and serve the same on INEC being the sole defendant in the suit.
Meanwhile, the Judge has fixed further mention in the matter till November 10.
