POLLS: Tension Rises As Enugu PDP Meets ADC's Idoko At Appeal Court Tuesday.

Peter Mbah.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu will on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, hear the appeal filed by Comrade Chika Idoko, the ADC senatorial candidate for Enugu North district, against an earlier judgement of the Federal High Court in a case seeking the disqualification of all PDP candidates in Enugu State for this year's polls.

Idoko had, in a suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP in Enugu State, sought the disqualification of all of the party's candidates in the state because the Enugu PDP failed to submit its register earlier than 30 days before the party's congresses, primaries and convention as provided by the Electoral Act 2022. The Federal High Court sitting in Enugu, however, dismissed the suit on the grounds that he lacked the locus standi to institute the suit since he was not a member of the PDP. Not satisfied with the judgement, Comrade Idoko went to the Court of Appeal for a review.

In a press statement on Monday, which he personally signed, the ADC senatorial candidate restated his commitment to the rule of law and his faith in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man. "The election is over but not completely over," he said in the statement. "I appreciate all my supporters, home and abroad; the concerted efforts and team work of my indefatigable counsel led by Barr. C I Odoh."

ADC's Idoko as well as the PDP candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, lost the senatorial election held on February 25 to the candidate of the Labour Party, Barr. Okey Ezea (Ideke).

There is growing tension in Enugu State, especially within the ranks of the PDP, following Idoko's appeal. Already, most PDP candidates in the state have lost at the polls, and its governorship candidate Barr. Peter Mbah has yet to receive a certificate of return after he was declared winner in controversial circumstances.