In view of the forthcoming Bayelsa State governorship primary election, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has through the order of court been restrained from using direct primary process.
The decision was sequel to earlier application by aggrieved members of the APC, stopping the National Working Committee of the party (APC), from proceeding with speculated direct procedure.
Japan Christopher, Evinson Olotu, Oddu Oyimiebi and Obriki Isaiah (applicants), filed the application while the first respondents are Adams Oshio and other members of the NWC and the second respondents are Hon Jonathan Amos and members of the State Working Committee of the party.
The applicants who prayed the court seeks an order ‘abridging the time for which the respondents may enter appearance and file their respective counter affidavits and written addresses to the originating summons within seven days given the time sensitive nature of the suit.’
Additionally, seeking an “interim injunction restraining the first respondents from adopting the direct primaries procedure for the conduct of the party’s primary election for the 2019 Bayelsa State governorship election pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.”
While granting the order in its entirety, the presiding judge, Hon Justice E. G. Umukoro ordered that the enrolled order of the court be served along with hearing notice to the respondents within 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the NWC has shifted the date for the Bayelsa governorship primary from Thursday, August 29 to Saturday, August 31, 2019.
The party has also adopted the direct mode of primary, which according to them is in line with the written request of the Bayelsa State chapter and majority of the stakeholders.
“This is in compliance with the decision of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC), which grants state chapters and majority of party leaders in a state the right to decide on the mode of primary they wish to adopt,” the party said.