The Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State has filed a suit against President Bola Tinubu for allegedly appointing a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In the suit filed by the Chairman and Secretary of the state PDP, Aniekan Akpan and Harrison Ekpo, respectively, they are challenging the choice of Etekamba Umoren as the REC for the state.
News About Nigeria recalls that the Senate, had on Wednesday, confirmed the appointments of seven out of 10 RECs forwarded to it on Tuesday by the President, which included Umoren.
Listed as plaintiffs in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/146/2023 which was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja are; Tinubu, the Senate and Umoren.
The PDP is urging the court to declare that, “the 1st defendant (President Tinubu) cannot present the 3rd defendant (Umoren) to the 2nd defendant (Senate) for confirmation as REC for Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.”
They also told the court that the appointment of the 3rd defendant as REC for Akwa Ibom State is unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional.
The plaintiffs are also asking the court to issue an order, “restraining the Senate from allowing, permitting and/or confirming Umoren as a REC and a further injunction restraining Umoren from acting, assuming the office and/or parading himself as a REC for Akwa Ibom State.”
The court is, however, yet to fix a date for the hearing of the suit.
Speaking further on the matter, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that their decision to go to court is because Umoren’s appointment was a plot by the ruling party to manipulate future polls and perpetuate itself in power.
