Two separate Federal High Courts, sitting in the Port Harcourt Judicial Division, have affirmed Dr. Dawari Ibietela George as the authentic governorship candidate of the Action Alliance, AA, in Rivers State.
Honourable Justice P.I. Ajoku, while ruling in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/177/2022, BETWEEN: RT. HON. (CHIEF) ALERUCHI WILLIAMS (PLAINTIFF) AND INEC,
Action Alliance, and Dr. Dawari Ibietela George, (Defendants), today, Tuesday, December 6, 2022, ruled that the plaintiff filed his Originating Summons out of time and therefore, barred by limitation of time since pre-election and elections matters are “sui generis”.
The Learned Justice Ajoku further declared that by Section 285(9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the case failed woefully to satisfy the Constitutional requirements as demanded.
The Honourable Court also held that the Plaintiff lacked the locus standi to bring or institute the case before the Court and in conclusion, dismissed the case in favour of Dr. Dawari George.
The court also held that it lacked the power to interfer in the internal affairs of political parties in nomination of candidates. It, therefore, affirmed Dr. Dawari Ibietela George as the rightful and legitimate governorship candidate of the Action Alliance, AA, for the 2023 general elections in Rivers State.
Justice Ajoku also told the Plaintiff that he didn’t participate in the 2nd primary of the Action Alliance which held on the 10th of August, 2022, and so could not complain of exclusion from the said primary. He averred that Action Alliance conducted its fresh governorship primary that produced Dr. Dawari Ibietela George on the said date in compliance with all electoral demands. He added that since the Plaintiff was properly communicated by the party as evidence before the Honourable Court proved, the Plaintiff had no legal standpoint to claim ignorance of the said primary.
Justice Ajoku warned against external interference in the internal affairs of political parties by third parties even as he stated that the sponsorship of persons to contest elections was the internal and domestic affairs of political parties and as such the court was barred by law in imposing any interference in same. In dismissing the Suit, Justice Ajoku however, awarded no cost as to the Order.
Similarly, in another case under Suit NO: FHC/PH/CS/160/2022 BETWEEN ABEDNEGO BENJAMI OLI & 2 ORS Vs. ACTION ALLIANCE with DR. DAWARI IBIETELA GEORGE & ORS, the Honorable Court 2 of the Federal High Court, presided by Hon. Justice E.A. Obile, dismissed the suit upon withdrawal by the Plaintiff.
With the two cases determined by the Courts, the candidacy of Dr. Dawari Ibietela George to participate in the March 11, 2023 governorship election, under the banner of Action Alliance, AA, in Rivers State, has been authenticated.
