A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Thursday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and deal with the two PDP factions in Anambra .
The presiding Judge, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, gave the order in Port Harcourt,while ruling on a motion by a factional chairman of the PDP in Anambra, Ejike Oguebego.
Oguebego’s faction had filed a motion, praying the court to declare Sen. Andy Uba as the party’s candidate for the Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.
The faction also prayed the court to direct INEC and National Working Committee of PDP not to recognise, Ken Emeakayi’s faction of the PDP in the state, which produced Tony Nwoye as its candidate for the election.
Nganjiwa in his ruling, directed that the order should stay pending the determination of a suit.
The judge also ordered the two factions to maintain the status quo and obey the order made by a Federal High court in Akwa, Anambra, on May 31
The National Working Committee of the PDP had recognised the Emeakayi’s faction of party that produced Mr Tony Nwoye as its governorship candidate for the Nov. 16 election.
Mr Jude NNodum, counsel to Andy Uba’s faction of PDP, said Ken Emeakayi had been suspended from the party and lacked the power to conduct a primary election that produced Nwoye.
The judge had after giving the order, announced that he was handing off the matter.
He said his decision was due to a petition he received from Ekem Ekem law firm on Thursday, adding that he would inform the Chief Judge of Federal High Court and await his directive.
‘’ I will not hear this matter again until I see my chief judge,’’ Nganjiwa said.
Mr Mmecha Kanu, counsel to PDP said the judge should continue with the matter, having made the orders and described as it ‘’far reaching’’.
Nganjiwa, however, adjourned the case to September 17.
