The Kaduna Central Peoples Democratic Party’s senatorial primary was nullified by a Federal High Court in the state on Wednesday.
According to Peoples Gazette, the presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Garba Umar ordered a re-run within 14 days.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had announced Lawal Adamu, also known as Mr. LA, as the winner of the primary and then published his name as the PDP senatorial candidate.
However his victory was challenged in court by Usman Ibrahim who came second in the primary.
Adamu Ibrahim, Sardaunan Badarawa subsequently went to court, alleging over voting in the primary election.
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, ruled that the plaintiff’s claims have merit and that the prior decision by INEC and the National Working Committee of the Party for a new primary, which did not take place, is therefore void and the defendants’ claims are without merit.
“Therefore the primary is nullified and the PDP should conduct fresh primary within the next 14 days,” the Judge said
Reacting to the verdict, the lead attorney for the plaintiff, Sam Atung, SAN stated that “this is a good day for the rule of law, constitutionalism, and internal democracy within our political parties.”
“The judgment of the court has been delivered and the entire claims of the plaintiff were upheld by the Honourable court and our claim was basically for a repeat primary election that was initially ordered by the PDP National Working Committee to be held on the 4th day of June but for the reason best known for the state Working Committee the election didn’t hold.” he said.
