Anambra guber poll: Court throws out Soludo’s nomination

The court order followed an exparte motion dated October 22, 2009 brought before the Court by one of the gubernatorial aspirant of the PDP in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigboh seeking an order restraining PDP from recognising Soludu as its governorship candidate in Anambra State in the forthcoming governorship election in the state pending the hearing […]

The court order followed an exparte motion dated October 22, 2009 brought before the Court by one of the gubernatorial aspirant of the PDP in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigboh seeking an order restraining PDP from recognising Soludu as its governorship candidate in Anambra State in the forthcoming governorship election in the state pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion.

The motion was brought pursuant to order 7 Rules 8, 9, and 10 of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (civil Procedure Rules) 2004 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court. Ozigboh alleged illegality by the ruling party in the selection process of the former President of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which he noted, contravened the party’s constitution and guidelines for the election of candidates for the party.

The trial Judge, Justice Danlami Senchi asked Ozigboh, who spoke through his Counsel, Mr. Aliyu Yakubu why he did not file his motion in the High Court of Anambra State and also why he did not file contempt proceedings against PDP and Soludo in Anambra State High Court.

According to Aliyu, Soludu’s selection by the party could not have taken place in Anambra State due to an earlier order of the High Court of Anambra State, thus the violation of the constitution of the party and its guidelines for election of candidates. The judge also gave an order restraining Soludo from parading himself or doing any act or making whatever moves that are deemed, taken or regarded as being the validity and duly elected candidate of the PDP for the 2010 Anambra State Governorship election to be conducted in February 6th next year.

The judge also restrained INEC from recognising Soludu as the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The case has been adjourned to November 4th, 2009, for hearing on the motion on notice.