The Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has dismissed an application filed by a PDP governorship aspirant in Akwa Ibom, Mr. Aniekan Etim, seeking to be joined in the suit, challenging the 1981 WAEC certificate of the party’s governorship candidate for the 2023 election, Pastor Umo Eno.
The Court, in a ruling Friday read by Justice Agatha Okeke, held that the applicant was not a necessary party, as he failed to show how his presence will necessitate the dismissal of the suit.
In the ruling read for one hour, Justice Okeke said for a party to be joined in the suit, his interest must align with the interest of the defendants, but in the instant case, the applicant, Mr. Aniekan Etim, who is seeking to be joined in the suit, is also seeking the cancellation of the PDP governorship primary.
The Court held that before a candidate at a political party primary can have a locus standi to sue the conduct of the party primary, he must have been screened, cleared by his political party, and participated in the said primaries.
Also read; Confirmation Of Umo Eno’s Certificates By WAEC: The Hypothesis Of The Opposition
She noted that although Mr. Aniekan Etim bought PDP governorship forms for the governorship primaries conducted on 25th May 2022, he did not take part in the exercise, because he had voluntarily withdrawn from the race.
The Court also said Mr. Etim did not show how Pastor Umo Eno’s governorship candidature, which is being challenged by Mr. Akan Okon was posing a threat or injury to him, nor show sufficient interest in the matter in controversy.
Justice Okeke described Mr. Aniekan Etim as a meddlesome interloper and a busy body, who is pursuing his own cause in another man’s suit.
The Court dismissed the application as lacking in merit.
The case has been adjourned to 29th August 2022 for a hearing of the substantive suit in which a governorship aspirant and former Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Akan Okon is challenging the WAEC certificate of Pastor Umo Eno.
