Hon Augustine Timkuk Seeks Court To Cancel, Wards, LGAs & State Mini Congresses Conducted By PDP In Plateau

Yakubu Busari

At the Federal High Court, sitting in Jos Division a suit No.FHC/J/CS/64/2022 has been filed by Augustine Timkuk  against INEC, PDP, Nannim Joseph ,Hon.Gwott Yakubu Chocho ,Hon.Fidelis Adara, Hon.John Adah and Hon .Amos Timbau of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau state has been challenged for conducting illegal mini wards, LGs, and state congresses that breach the party guideline of section 84 of the electoral act. section 36 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, sections 15,18,25 and other sections of the constitution of the party 1,2,3,4&5 of the guidelines of the 2nd defendant for primaries election 2022 order rules 6,7,&9 of the federal high Court civil procedure rules of 2019.

The plaintiff’s counsel, Barr. Kingsley Gabriel Esq. sought 11 reliefs, that the virtue of the provisions of section 84(8)of the electoral act 2022, the conduct of indirect primaries by the 2nd defendant for the nomination of its candidates in the 2023 general election, is governed by the 2nd defendant constitution and the guidelines for primary election issued by the 2nd defendant in March 2022.

The petitioner came through originating summons of 10 paragraphs of 1(b) of part 1 of the electoral guidelines for the primary election, the defendant provided that each ward chapter of the 2nd defendant, shall elect three (3) ward Ad-hoc delegates at a special ward congress, for the nomination of the. Candidates for the offices of Governor of Plateau state, Member of the state Assembly, Senate, and House of representatives including state Assembly.

The petitioner’s counsel disclosed that the high court of justice and appeal had made orders compelling the 1st defendant to conduct its affairs according to its constitution and guidelines.

This is not in compliance with a Federal High Court order which nullified the previous exercise of indirect primaries conducted by the 2nd defendant on the directives, instruction, or under the supervision of the 4th defendant in his capacity as the state organizing secretary of the 2nd defendant, or any other person or persons in his capacity as a member of the Executive committee, state working committee or the local government or ward executive committee of the 2nd defendant is null and void, for being in contravention or disobedience of the order or judgment of the court, And the constitution of the 2nd defendant.

However, the petitioner’s argument was that the 2nd defendant’s failure to hear and determine the claimant’s petition is a violation of the claimant’s right to a fair hearing and a breach of the provisions of the 2nd defendant’s constitution and guidelines, he stated.

According to claimant counsel, his client is seeking an order setting aside all the ward congresses of the 2nd defendant, wherein Adhoc delegates were elected for the purpose of the indirect primaries for the election of the 2nd defendant candidates in the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and House of assembly 2023 polls.

He pointed out an order setting aside the declarations of the 3rd defendant as the 2nd defendant flag bearer for the Langtang North -North state constituency of the Plateau state house of assembly, for the 2023 election.

The counsel prayed an order of perpetual injunctions restraining the 1st defendant from recognizing, accepting or placing on the ballot any candidate of the 2nd defendant for the governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and state house of assembly based on the state congresses of the defendant conducted based on the delegates.

Augustine Timkuk said the mini congresses that were held in all the wards in  Langtang North-North state constituency were marred by irregularities and sharp practices before the election.

Mr Augustine Timkuk urged the Federal High Court to grant all the prayers of plaintiffs in a suit brought before it contesting the emergence of Nannim Joseph as the state Assembly candidate of the party.

He is seeking the order of the federal high court to nullify the election and order fresh primaries even as it ordered for the inclusion of the wards and LGs delegates.

He, therefore, ordered a fresh process that allows due process to be followed in the election ward delegates and the guidelines for conducting primary elections.