The Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State on Thursday affirmed Mr. Precious Nwadike as the validly nominated candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for Orlu State Constituency poll in 2023.
The member representing the constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Paschal Okolie had sought Nwadike’s disqualification on the ground that he (Nwadike) is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hence cannot stand election on the platform of the LP.
Delivering judgment in Suit No: FHC/OW/CS33/2022, the Presiding Judge, M.A Oyetenu dismissed the suit on all the grounds presented by Nwadike’s legal team led by A.I. Nwachukwu.
The court upheld Nwadike’s nomination as valid, stressing that it does not decide who is a member of a political party as the onus lies on the political party.
The court also ruled that a non-member of a political party lacks the locus to challenge the decision, result or outcome of the primary election of a political party.
The court also dismissed the suit on the ground that it was status barred.
Speaking shortly after, Nwadike’s counsel, A.I. Nwachukwu described the judgement as victory for the judiciary.
He said; ‘’I’ am happy and excited about the judgment. The court has vindicated us by accepting all the issues we raised which prompted the dismissal of the suit instituted against my client. It is victory for the judiciary’’.
Also speaking, the LP candidate, Nwadike commended the judiciary for living up to expectation as the last hope of the common man.
He said the suit was aimed at distracting him and his team from their determination to offer quality and effective representation to the Orlu Constituency that has never had it so bad.
Nwadike also expressed gratitude to Orlu people for their concern and support and equally appreciated his legal team for doing a very good job.
OKolie is seeking reelection on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
