Connect with us

NEWS

Appeal Court Clears Way For Zamfara APC To Field Candidates

Published

on


Advertisements

The court of appeal sitting in Abuja has set aside the judgment of the federal high court, Abuja, which held that the Zamfara state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) can not field candidates for the general election.

Citing its inability to conduct primaries before the stipulated deadline, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had barred the ruling party from participating in the election in the north-west state.

On January 25, a federal high court in Abuja held that INEC was right to have delisted names of candidates APC presented for the elections.

The Cable reports that the court ruled in favour of the commission, stating that the APC failed to conduct primaries within the required period.

But a 3- man panel of the appellate court held that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to have entertained the suit, that it was an abuse of court process.

Advertisement

The panel said the suit at the federal high court was filed out of time.

It said while the electoral act provided for 14 days to institute a suit after the cause of action had arisen, the suit was filed 15 days after, making the action illegal.

The appellate court ruling comes one week after Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation,  asked INEC to postpone elections in Zamfara state.

In a letter dated February 13, 2019, Malami said he acted based on a petition from a law firm claiming that recent court judgments have annulled the stand of INEC that the APC did not conduct primaries in the state and can therefore not field candidates.

He had said since the courts admitted that primaries were held, INEC should shift the elections to allow APC catch up with other parties in preparing for the polls.

Advertisement

But the commission had disregarded Malami’s letter.

At a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, had insisted that APC in Zamfara would not field candidates.

Abdulaziz Yari, governor of the state, had threatened that elections will not hold in Zamfara without APC participating in them.

Advertisement
Click to comment

COVID-19 STATS

Advertisement
KFC
FEATURED10 hours ago

KFC In Discriminatory Law Violation In Lagos As FAAN Shuts Down Outlet Over Gbenga Daniel’s Son Alleged Maltreatment

FEATURED22 hours ago

BREAKING: Names, Photos Of Persons Linked To Okuama Soldiers’ Killing Released As DHQ Declares Amagbein, Professor, Six Others Wanted

Ateke Tom
FEATURED1 day ago

Ateke Tom Receives Certificate, Staff Of Office From Gov Fubara As First-class King

FEATURED1 day ago

NNPCL Denies Price Adjustment Rumours For Fuel, Diesel

FEATURED1 day ago

WABMA Rector, Okere To Speak At Texas Southern University 42nd Communication Week

FEATURED2 days ago

BREAKING: Gallant Okuama 17 Soldiers Laid To Rest As Tinubu, Governors, Other Heavyweights Pay Final Respects

COMMUNITY REPORT2 days ago

Heartless Pregnant Woman! Inside Details Of How She Faked Own Kidnap, Collected N2mn Ransom From Husband, Shared Loot With Boyfriend

FEATURED2 days ago

3 Truckloads Of Lithium, Other Assorted Solid Minerals Intercepted In Ilorin, As EFCC Arrests 5 Suspects

militants
FEATURED2 days ago

Untold Story Of Militant Leader Who Killed 17 Soldiers In Okuama — His Rise And Shocking Exploits

COMMUNITY REPORT2 days ago

Charms, Cutlasses Among Items Recover From Suspects Who Kidnapped 3 Women In Delta

Clark
FEATURED2 days ago

‘Fire Will Rage If I Die By Any Dubious Means’ – Clark After Army Deploys 5 Trucks, Drones, 40 Personnel To Raid His Delta’s Residence

COMMUNITY REPORT3 days ago

OPM GO Turned Monarch, Apostle Chinyere, Lands Netherlands To Attract Devt And Promote Humanitarian Work

Advertisement
  Â