Substituted Plateau ADC Guber Candidate Sues Party

Yakubu Busari

African Democratic Congress, ADC, flag bearer , Engr Richard Ponkap Bature has approached a Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Jos Judicial Division challenging Independent National Electoral Commission , INEC, African Democratic Congress, ADC, and Joseph Bitrus Musa as defendants in the suit for replacing his name at the INEC headquarters.

Engr. Richard Bature who won the ADC primaries conducted by the state chapter of the INEC and was declared the winner but when the name was forwarded for final screening to Abuja the National leadership of ADC manipulated the result.

In his originating Summons filed by plaintiff counsel, Barr. Nimnan V. Denden dated 14th December 2018, says let all parties concerned appear before this honorable court within 30 days after service of this summons on them inclusive of the day of such service cause an appearance to be entered for them to this summons which issued upon application of Richard Bature.

According to the counsel Barr Ndenden whether having regards to the provisions of the electoral act 2010 as amended particularly section 87 and article 8B and article 20 of the constitution of the ADC.

He pointed out,” the plaintiff being the sole candidate during the gubernatorial primaries elected in Plateau state and having been so affirmed and issued a certificate of return to contest for the position of the Governor in the forthcoming 2019 general elections is not the validly nominated candidate of African Democratic Congress “.

Ndenden frowns at the imposition of the 3rd defendant to replace the validly elected plaintiff as the flag bearer of the 2nd Defendant is not illegal, null and void.

He sought four reliefs upon the determination of the questions, the plaintiff seeks the following ;

A declaration that having regards to the provisions of section 87 of the electoral act amended 2010 in article 8B and article 20 of the constitution of ADC, the plaintiff is the valid candidate nominated as the gubernatorial flag bearer of the party.

Second a declaration that the imposition of the 3rd defendant is illegal null and void.

Thirdly that such further orders as the judge may deem fit to make in the circumstance and lastly cost of this action including exhibits mark from A1 to Az.