The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal’s decision to dismiss Ngozi Okolie, who represented the Aniocha/Oshimili Constituency in the House of Representatives, has prompted a response from the Labour Party’s (LP) leadership. The tribunal is located in Asaba, Delta State.
The party expressed outrage over the court’s decision, claiming that it was illegal.
This was said in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh.
Remember that on Monday, the court ruled that Okolie’s election to the House of Representatives was invalid and declared Ndudi Elumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, as the legitimate winner.
According to the court, the LP candidate lacked the necessary qualifications to run in the election.
The LP insisted that it does not recognize the tribunal’s decision and asserted that a claim based on a determination of party membership is not justiciable.
The party also stated that it would be appealing the ruling.
“We note that the judgement is clearly inconsistent with the position of the law already settled even by superior courts, including the Supreme Court. The issue of nomination of candidates as well as membership are internal affairs of the party beyond the jurisdiction of courts. Only a political party can determine who its members are and who their flag bearer for an election should be.
“The courts have in a plethora of cases held that the court has no jurisdiction to intervene in the internal affairs of a political party,” the party’s statement read.
It said that influential individuals in Delta State were involved in the situation and that the party anticipated some political bluster and arm-twisting, but it asked supporters to remain calm because the party would make sure that none of its mandates would be taken away.