Court Stops APC from Adopting Direct Primary in Bayelsa

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Sagbama has ordered the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop the adoption of direct method in conducting the party’s primaries in the state.

The interim order obtained by aggrieved members of the APC, restrained the NWC of APC from going ahead to conduct the forthcoming primary using direct procedure.

The applicants in the suit were identified as Japan Christopher, Evinson Olotu, Oddu Oyimiebi; and Obriki Isaiah.

The first respondent is Adams Oshiomhole and other members of the NWC, while the second respondents are Jonathan Amos and members of the State Working Committee of the party.

The applicants prayed the court for an order “abridging the time for which the respondents may enter appearance and file their respective counter affidavits and written addresses to the originating summons within seven days given the time sensitive nature of the suit”.

They also prayed for the court for an “interim injunction restraining the first respondents from adopting the direct primaries procedure for the conduct of the party’s primary election for the 2019 Bayelsa state governorship election pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.

Granting the order in its entirety, the presiding judge, Justice E G Umukoro asked that the enrolled order of the court be served along with hearing notice to the respondents within 48
hours.