An Appeal Court sitting in Kano has set aside a ruling by the Jigawa State High Court, that declared one Jude Okeke, as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
The three-man panel unanimously agreed that the case is dismissed, as the High Court in Jigawa lacked territorial jurisdiction to handle such matters and subsequently ruled in favour of the appellant.
The matter was brought before Justice Haruna Simon, by the embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Victor Oye, who is appealing the ruling of a Jigawa State High Court, that installed Jude Okeke as the party’s national chairman.
The judgment at the High Court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to recognise Chukwuma Umeoji, as the gubernatorial candidate of APGA, for the November 6 election, as against Charles Soludo.
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Delivering ruling at the Appeal Court, Justice Haruna Simon said, APGA was not joined in the suit, and was not given a fair hearing.
The three-man panel said the trial judge in Jigawa has no power of jurisdiction, to order any matter regarding the elections that happened in Anambra State.
It, therefore, set the ruling aside, in favour of the appellant.
Counsel to the appellant, Steve Nwoga, welcomed the judgment and called on INEC to declare Charles Soludo, as the gubernatorial candidate of APGA in Anambra State.
Counsel to the first respondent, Chibuzor Ezike said, they will understudy the judgment.
(Editor: Abaje Usekwe)
