Confusion in PDP: Wike Denies Suing Atiku Over PDP Presidential Primary, As Court Fixes August 17 Date for Hearing
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has denied filing a suit against the Peoples Democratic Party, its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
This is even as the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed August 17 to hear the suit challenging the victory of Atiku Abubakar.
The Street Reporters Newspaper gathered that the suit, with number FHC/ABJ/CS/782/2022, was filed on June 6, 2022 against the PDP, Independent National Electoral Commission, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal and Abubakar as 1st to fourth respondents.
In the application, the suit was filed by Prince Michael Newgent Ejamon and Nyesom Wike (1st and Second applicants).
However, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has categorically denied filling a suit against the presidential candidate and the party, saying that he would have filed the suit earlier than it was done if he was interested.
Speaking at the commissioning of House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Governor Wike said he was focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
“People have called me that I went to court against Atiku Abubakar,” he said.
“I want to state categorically that I didn’t go to court. I just want to say it for Nigerians to know. I have kept quiet. I am busy with delivering the dividends of democracy.
“If they lose election, nobody should call my name. I have told the candidate.
“If I wanted to go to court, I would have gone to court within two weeks.
“It is the candidate’s group that are doing all these things. Let the world hear.
“They are the ones plotting all these things, thinking they will spoil my name.
“We are supposed to be talking about winning election”, Governor Wike said.
But legal documents filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja had surfaced late on Thursday showing one Nyesom Wike as a plaintiff in a case against the PDP, Atiku, Tambuwal and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the PDP presidential primary.
In the originating summons, Wike and his co-applicant are asking the court to determine eight issues which includes whether the purported transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku by the PDP was illegal and void.
The plaintiffs are also asking the court to determine if Tambuwal lost his claim to votes cast the moment he stepped down for Atiku.
Wike and Ekamon argued that should these issues be determined in their favour, the court should grant nine reliefs including a declaration that the purported transfer of Tambuwal’s votes to Atiku be declared null and void.
The plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration that the PDP acted negligently and in bad faith by assigning the Sokoto governor’s votes to Atiku at the primary as well as a plea for the court to declare Wike the winner.
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