Anambra Governorship Primary: Court Nullifies Uba Brothers, Three Others Suspension From PDP

Anambra PDPThe suspension of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Senator Andy Uba, from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has been nullified by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court which was presided over by Justice Ahmed R. Mohammed on Friday maintained that the National Working Committee, NWC of the PDP, attempted to overreach the powers of the court when it suspended the senator, his younger brother, Chief Chris Uba and three others, despite being aware of the existence of a suit that was entered against the party by the plaintiffs.

Others whose suspension was lifted by the court yesterday were the factional Chairman of the party in Anambra state, Chief Ejike Oguebego, Benjamin Udeozor and Mrs Anthonia Nwankwu.

The plaintiffs were suspended by PDP for failing to appear before its NWC to explain their roles over the conduct of a parallel governorship primary in Anambra State last Saturday.

But in his ruling yesterday, Justice Mohammed stressed that the court would not watch helplessly while its authority is “desecrated”.

He was reacting to PDP claims that the court order directing it to appear and give explanation why the plaintiffs were suspended was only served on the party yesterday adding that the decision to ‘sanction’ the plaintiffs is ‘interference’ on the powers of the court.

“Court has a duty to safeguard its integrity at all times. The action of the 1st defendant in suspending the plaintiffs despite being aware of the pendency of this suit is a deliberate attempt to overreach this court,” Justice Mohammed said.

He, therefore, ruled that “In line with the powers imbued on the court by section 6(6) of the 1999 constitution and Order 56 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rule, an interim order is hereby made suspending the suspension of the plaintiffs pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice before the court.”