The Federal High Court 1, Awka presided over by Hon Justice H. A. Nganjiwa on Friday disqualified Chief Victor Umeh from contesting in the February 25, 2023 senatorial election.
Umeh was until Friday afternoon Labour Party standard-bearer for Anambra Central Senatorial poll.
The court, in a 3- hour judgment, which was described by legal professionals as “erudite”, disqualified Umeh on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The cause of action had to do with his valid membership of the Labour Party otherwise he was not qualified ab initio to contest the Labour Party’s primary poll.
The court noted that there was no evidence that the resignation letter by Umeh to the leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), his supposed former Party, was actually received by the party.
Therefore, his name was still in the register of members of APGA as of September 30, 2022 when he was said to have contested the party’s (Labour Party’s) primary poll.
In the corollary, his (Umeh’s) name was not deemed to be in the register of members of Labour party as of June 3, 2022, date of primary of LP.
The court therefore declared as null and void the publication of Umeh’s name as a candidate earlier by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Court held that he failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act and the LP constitution.
The court therefore declared the publication of his name as candidate of LP as null and void and of no effect.
Court also issued an injunction restraining Umeh from parading himself as Senatorial candidate of LP.
The injunction also prevented the LP from accepting or presenting Umeh as her candidate. (Adapted from 247UReports)
