A Judge of the Federal High Court, Uyo has described Peoples Democratic Party aspirant in the May 25 governorship primary in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Aniekan Etim, as “a meddlesome interloper and a busy body.’’
Mr. Etim had sought to be joined in the suit challenging the authenticity of the 1981 WAEC certificate of the party’s governorship candidate for 2023 general election, Pastor Umo Eno.
However, the court presided by Justice Agatha Okeke in dismissing the application, said that ‘‘he is pursuing his own cause in another man’s suit.”
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The Court, in its ruling Friday held that “the applicant was not a necessary party, as he failed to show how his presence will necessitate the dismissal of the suit.”
Justice Okeke said for a person to be joined in the suit as a necessary party,.. his interest must align with the interest of the defendants, but in the instant case, the applicant, Mr. Aniekan Etim, who is seeking to be joined in the suit, is also seeking the cancellation of the PDP governorship primary.
The Court held that “before a candidate at a political party primary can have a locus standi to sue the conduct of the party primary, he must have been screened, cleared by his political party and participated in the said primaries.”
Justice Okeke noted that although Mr. Aniekan Etim bought PDP governorship forms for the governorship primaries conducted 25th May, 2022, he did not take part in the exercise, because he had voluntarily withdrawn from the race.
She also said Mr. Etim “did not show how Pastor Umo Eno’s governorship candidature, which is being challenged by Mr. Akan Okon was posing a threat or injury to him, nor show sufficient interests in the matter in controversy.”
The Court dismissed the application as “lacking in merit” and adjourned to 29th August, 2022 for hearing of the substantive suit.
