ABIA GUBER: Court Sets Date To Hear Emma Nwaka's Suit Challenging The Candidacy Of Ahiwe

Hearing into the suit; FHC/ABJ/CS/226/2023, filed by Senator Emma Nwaka a governorship aspirant of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, challenging the candidacy of Chief Okey Ahiwe, the party's governorship candidate for the 2023 election, have been adjourned.

Nwaka had filed a suit against Ahiwe, PDP and INEC challenging the emergence of Ahiwe on the grounds that he did not participated in the May 25, 2022, governorship primary of the party and as such, should not have been allowed to participate in the re-run primary election held on February 4, 2023.

https://youtu.be/BxmAhpcVftw

The suit which was first filed on February 16, 2023 at a Federal High Court in the FCT, Abuja, and was later transferred to Umuahia, is asking the court to sack Okey Ahiwe as the Abia PDP Guber candidate.

At the resumption of hearing into the matter on Tuesday, March 7, the Federal High Court in Umuahia adjourned till March 14, 2023.

The court also gave an order for substituted service of the originating summons and other court processes on Ahiwe.

Addressing journalists after the court sitting, Senator Nwaka stated that the court's decision to adjourn the matter till after the forthcoming election, does not pose any threat as according to him, if he is able to prove his case, Ahiwe would be ordered to vacate his position (assuming he wins the election).

In Nwaka's words;

"Being a pre-election matter, the outcome of the election will not affect it in anyway. If we are able to prove our case in court, the defendant would be caused to vacate his position if he was successful in the election. Under the new Electoral Act, this case must be concluded within 180 days.ÔÇØ