A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zuba council ward FCT, Mr. Cyriacus Njoku, has filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, challenging the judgement of an Abuja High Court, which cleared President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential primaries on the platform of the PDP.
Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi had on March 1, 2013 ruled that Jonathan was eligible to contest the 2015 presidential election if he so desired.
The judge further held that Jonathan’s assumption of the office of the President after the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua was in line with what the National Assembly’s doctrine of necessity and not as a result of emerging winner in any bye election.
He further held that Jonathan’s tenure of office begun to count from May 29, 2011 when he was sworn into office as the elected President of Nigeria and not May 6, 2010 when he assumed office following Yar’Adua’s death.
Dissatisfied with Justice Oniyangi’s Judgment Njoku has since headed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgment.
In the notice and grounds of appeal filed at the Abuja division of the appellate court on March 25, 2013, which LEADERSHIP exclusively obtained a copy, the Appellant (Njoku) through his lawyer, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla said the trial Judge erred in law when he held that he (Appellant) did not have locus standi to institute the case and the reliefs sought in the originating summons.
Joined as respondents in the appeal were President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP and INEC.
The appellant is seeking an order to set aside the Judgement by Justice Oniyangi delivered on March 1, 2013, as well as an order granting the reliefs sought by the Appellant in his originating summons filed on the March 30, 2012.