The Federal High Court, Abuja turned deaf ears to the proceedings on application filed by Pastor Umo Bassey Eno and Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State.
The party had prayed the court presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu to set aside its January 20 judgement which declared Mr. Michael Enyong as the authentic governorship candidate of the party in the state.
At its resumed hearing Friday, the court refused to grant any of the applications and ordered parties to proceed to the Court of Appeal on their application that had been entered.
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Despite Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN urging the court to hear the matter because Umo Eno was not joined in the Appeal, Justice Egwuatu dismissed his application.
Delivering judgement in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1295/2022, Fadima Aminu, the presiding judge, ordered the PDP to submit Enyong’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate.
The Court adjourned till March 15, 2023, as legal fireworks have been shifted to Court of Appeal.
Mr. Enyong was represented in court by S. Peters, Esq and Nyaknno Etuk, Esq.
While Eno and the PDP approached the Court of Appeal to appeal the judgment, they also filed a separate application at the Federal High Court seeking an order for stay of execution of its judgment.
Straightnews learned that Appeal Court has not yet given Eno’s legal team date to entertain the case.
Enyong, who is the member representing Uyo, Uruan, Nsit Atai and Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, maintained that he remains the PDP governorship candidate for the March 11 governorship election.
Straightnews gathered that PDP National Legal Adviser is alleged to be distant in the matter due to his purported non-involvement by the state party.
‘‘It may be forlorn for the state party to pursue the matter, except the party at the national level is involved. Days are running out, yet the appellant appears to be using the same formula to pursue a dicey case. I think the earlier the party at the national level is involved in the matter, the brighter the chances of the party winning the case,’’ a political pundit opined.
