The Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Akwa Ibom State has called on the Federal High Court of Justice, Abuja, to issue an order of perpetual injunction “restraining the Senate from allowing, permitting and/or confirming Etekamba Umoren, as Resident Electoral Commissioner REC, for the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
PDP accused President Bola Tinubu of appointing a member of his party, the All Progressives Congress APC, as Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission for Akwa Ibom, south south Nigeria.
The suit was filed by the Chairman and Secretary of the state PDP, Aniekan Akpan and Harrison Ekpo, respectively.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/146/2023 filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the plaintiff listed as defendants, Bola Tinubu, the Senate and Etekamba Umoren.
The plaintiffs to their originating summons attached coloured photographs of Umoren on campaign grounds wearing the APC clothes.
It alleged that Umoren in APC dresses was campaigning for the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The opposition party seeking a court declaration that “the appointment of the 3rd defendant as REC for Akwa Ibom State is unlawful, also described it as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
“We are urging the court to declare that “the 1st defendant (President Tinubu) cannot present the 3rd defendant (Umoren) to the 2nd defendant (Senate) for confirmation as REC for Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.”
“We want the court to issue an order of perpetual injunction “restraining the Senate from allowing, permitting and/or confirming Umoren as a REC,” he added.
The PDP said it wants a further injunction restraining Umoren from acting, assuming the office and/or parading himself as a REC for Akwa Ibom State.”
But date has not been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Truth Live News gathered earlier reported that the Senate, on Wednesday, confirmed the appointments of seven out of 10 RECs forwarded to it on Tuesday by the President, which included Etekamba Umoren.