Factional candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, has asked a Federal High Court to stop the governor-elect, Chief Willie Obiano, from being sworn in on March 17.
Already, the court presided over by Hon. Justice A. Mohammed has ordered that Obidigbo should serve the originating summons on Obiano and four others by substituted means.
The four other defendants in the matter are the APGA; the party’s national chairman, Maxi Okwu; the Independent National Electoral Commission, and the Chief Judge of Anambra State.
While Obidigbo belongs to the Maxi Okwu faction of APGA, Obiano belongs to the Victor Umeh faction.
In the suit No FHC/ABJ CS/118/2014, filed by his counsel, Tairu Adebayo, Obidigbo is seeking the court’s declaration that by the provision of Section 177 (c) of the 1999 Constitution, the 1st defendant (Obiano) was not qualified to participate and or take part in the Anambra State governorship election as he was not sponsored by the 3rd defendant as the candidate of APGA for the election.
The plaintiff is also asking the court to declare that by virtue of Section 177 (c) of the Constitution he is the candidate duly sponsored by APGA to contest for the Anambra State governorship election of November 16, 2013.
Other prayers contained in the plaintiff’s writ of summon, filed on February 17, 2014, include, “An order of mandatory injunction restraining the 1st defendant, Chief Willie Obiano, from parading himself and or representing or holding out himself as the sponsored candidate of the 3rd defendant, in the Anambra State Governorship Election or otherwise representing that he was validly elected/chosen by the 4th defendant, as the candidate for APGA or presenting himself on March 17, 2014 or any other date for swearing-in as the Governor of Anambra State or taking the oath of allegiance and oath of office as Governor of Anambra State in the Anambra State Governorship Election of November 16, 2013.
“An order of mandatory injunction restraining the 5th defendant, Chief Judge of Anambra State or any other Judge in the Anambra State judiciary, from swearing-in on March 17, 2014 or any other date the 1st defendant, Chief Willie Madaubuchi Obiano, as the Governor of Anambra State or administering the oath of allegiance and oath of office on the 1st defendant as Governor of Anambra State.
“An order of mandatory injunction compelling the 4th defendant, INEC, to recognise and issue Certificate of Return to the plaintiff, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, as the authentic sponsored candidate of the 3rd defendant and as such the elected Governor in the Anambra State Governorship Election of November 16, 2013, the plaintiff having fully participated in all the stages of the election to the office of Governor of Anambra State.
“An order of mandatory injunction compelling the 5th defendant, Chief Judge of Anambra State or any other Judge in the Anambra State Judiciary to swear-in on March 17, 2014 or any other date the plaintiff Dr. Chike Obidigbo, as the Governor of Anambra State and to administer the oath of allegiance and oath of office on the plaintiff as Governor of Anambra State, having fully participated in all the stages of the election to the office of Governor of Anambra State in the Anambra State Governorship election of November 16, 2013 or any other date.”
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