By Kenneth Atavti
Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) has challenged the candidature of Rev. Fr. Hycenth Alia as gubernatorial flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, before a federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Aondoakaa who is also a guber aspirant under the platform of the APC, is dragging Rev. Fr. Alia, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and his party to court.
In a Summons issued on his behalf by his Solicitor Chiesonu I. Okpoko (SAN), and dated June 9, 2022 Aondoakaa is asking the court to determine the following reliefs as obtained from his Governorship Campaign Organization in Makurdi, the Benue State capital:
He asked the court among other things, “To declare as null, void and of no effect whatsoever the Benue State APC Governorship Primaries allegedly conducted on the 26th May, 2022 for non compliance with the provisions of the law, and a further declaration that the Summary Result Sheet of the Benue State APC Governorship Primary election dated 28th May, 2022 is a null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the primaries in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had asked the Federal High Court Abuja to nullify the process in which Rev. Fr Alia emerged as flag bearer.
Responding in a Summons issued last Wednesday on the matter filled by the plaintiff (PDP and Titus Uba), the court issued a restraining order on INEC, and the APC from listing Rev. Fr Alia or any other of its aspirants on the ballot during the 2023 governorship elections in Benue State.
The Writ of Summons with suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/826/2022, the court further directed the defendants (Rev. Fr Alia and APC) to respond to the directives read by Chief Sebastine T. HON, SAN, before 30 days, starting from the date of issuance.
