The Supreme Court, on Friday in Abuja, nullified the primary election of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) which produced Mr. Jones Onyerere as its Senatorial candidate for Imo West in the February National Assembly election.
The apex court nullified the primary election on the ground that it was conducted in Owerri, the State capital, instead of Orlu, the Senatorial Headquarters of Imo West.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, in a judgment on the appeal filed by Mr. Nnamdi Ezeani said that PDP grossly violated section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act by conducting the primary election outside the venue clearly stipulated by law.
The court further held that by the judgment, PDP will not participate in next month’s senatorial election having failed to produce its candidate within time allowed by law.
Specifically, Justice Agim held that since the time for conduct of primary election to nominate candidates was already over, it is deemed that the party would not have candidate in the February 25 National Assembly poll.
Justice Agim warned the parties to conduct their affairs within the ambit of the law adding that section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act is clear on where the primary election should be conducted.