Court clears APC to contest 2023 elections in Rivers

A Federal High Court sitting in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State has cleared the APC to contest in the 2023 elections.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Turaki Mohammed equally dismissed the suit filled by the PDP against the APC.

PDP had prayed the court to nullify the candidacy of all the legislative candidates running on the platform of the APC in the state on the grounds that their primaries were not monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC as they allegedly failed to comply with the Electoral Act.

In its ruling, the court dismissed the case, citing lack of jurisdiction based on an earlier judgement by the Court of Appeal which barred political parties from interfering in the internal affairs of other parties.

Speaking to journalists after the court decision, counsel to the APC, Emenike Ebete described the court’s decision as a victory for justice as APC candidates are now free to campaign across Rivers state without fear.

On his part, the APC candidate for Rivers West Senatorial District, Asita Asita commended the judge for the decision and expressed optimism that his party will come out victorious in the 2023 elections in Rivers State.

Meanwhile, the counsel to the PDP, Dike Udenna declined to comment on the decision.