Against the backdrop of alleged move to snatch the governorship ticket from him, Dr. Casimir Anyanwu, standard bearer of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Imo State has dragged Chief Okey Eze to a Federal High Court, Owerri on grounds that Eze did not participate in gubernatorial primary of the party for the 2019 general elections.
In the said suit, Dr. Anyanwu put three questions for determination which include, “whether having regard to the provision of Section 87 (1 and 2) of the Electoral Act of 2010 (as amended), the 1st Defendant can appoint, impose or select the 2nd Defendant (Okey Eze) as the governorship candidate of the 1st Defendant (SDP) in Imo State when the 2nd Defendant (Okey Eze) did not participate in the primary election for the selection of the governorship candidate of the 1st Defendant (SDP)”.
Dr. Anyanwu is asking the court to determine whether having regards to Section 87 (4b) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), SPD was not under a legal obligation to submit his name since he emerged winner of the primary election to the INEC as SDP’s governorship candidate in Imo State for the 2019 general election among others.
Anyanwu is equally asking for a declaration that Eze having not participated in the primary election for the selection of governorship candidate of SDP for the 2019 general elections cannot have his name submitted to INEC as SDP’s governorship candidate for the said election.
Other prayers by Dr. Anyanwu include; A declaration that any purported selection, nomination of Eze as the governorship candidate of SDP for the 2019 general election as illegal, invalid, null, void and of no effect.
He is also seeking “An order of honourable court setting aside any purported selection or nomination of Eze by SDP for the 2019 general election.
He further seeks: “An order of the honourable court mandating the 1st Defendant (SDP) to submit the name of the plaintiff (Anyanwu) as its governorship candidate for the 2019 general election”. Also sought is an order of court restraining SDP from submitting the name of Eze as the governorship candidate for the 2019 general election, “And for such further orders and reliefs as the honourable court may deem fit and just to make in the circumstances”.
