Comrade Ebuka Onah
For the past months, it has become obvious that cold war have taken its place in the Enugu State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) over who is the rightful governorship candidate of the party for the 2023 general elections between Capt. Evarest Nnaji (Odengene) and Hon. Chijioke Edeoga.
It is also obvious that Edeoga had since been parading himself as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, following a “private” primary held on August 4, at Golf Estate, Enugu after the placeholder, Casmir Agbo, gave up the ticket. He had also been traversing the nooks and crannies of the state canvassing support for success of the party in the elections alongside his running mate, John Nwokeabia.
However, it is pertinent to state that on November 9th, 2023, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja sacked Edeoga as the candidate of the Labour Party. The sitting which was presided by Justice Evelyn Maha of Court 11, Federal High Court, dismissed the primary election as a hoax and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary election withing 14 days.
The court further agreed that only Odengene met all the requirements to be an aspirant should the Labour Party conduct any primary election as he had all the necessary documents to that effect.
The judgement was however upturned by the Appeal Court which reinstated Edeoga as the candidate.
Odengene appealed the judgement at the Supreme Court, asking the apex Court to set aside the judgement of the Appeal Court and either declare him the candidate of the Labour Party or direct the party to conduct a fresh primary election with him as the sole aspirant.
Indeed, the above scenario, demonstrates that the judiciary has its work on electoral disputes. Capt. Nnaji have opted to exhaust the legal remedies at the Supreme Court, which is the final court for the ticket dispute. The court clearly knows that what is expected of it is not just to do justice, but also to ensure that justice is seen to have been done.
Arguably, I have confidence in the eminent jurists of the apex court that they will do substantial justice on the February 27th Judgement.
First, I wish to state clearly that the judgement of the appellate court was made without giving him (Odengene) a fair hearing.
Secondly, based on the judgment of the lower court, which indicates Odengene is the only aspirant who purchased the necessary forms and made the required payments. Odengene should be declared the authentic candidate for the 2023 election.
I seriously trust the Supreme Court to do justice on 27th.
Comrade Ebuka Onah writes from Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State
