Jubilation erupted at the Labour Party’s secretariat in Abuja as the Supreme Court affirmed Senator Athan Achonu as the rightful candidate for the upcoming November 11 governorship election in Imo State. Achonu, who aims to become the first physically challenged governor in the country, faced objections and challenges to his candidacy from Basil Maduka, an aggrieved aspirant at the last Labour Party primary.
Maduka had taken the matter to both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, contesting Achonu’s candidature. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the case, citing a lack of locus standi. The panel of five justices, led by Iyang Okoro, cautioned the appellant for abusing the court process and wasting the time of the courts throughout the legal proceedings.
Two other respondents in the case were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Joseph Ukaegbu, also known as Ikenga, from the Lamidi Apapa faction. Ukaegbu’s request for a consequential order was rejected by the Supreme Court.
The National Legal Officer of the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, commended the Supreme Court justices for doing justice to the case. He highlighted the court’s decision that the case lacked locus standi and the caution given to the lawyers for the petitioners.
Counsel to the Labour Party, Okwudili Anozie, emphasized that the judgment in favor of Achonu also legitimized Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party. Anozie stated that the Supreme Court’s decision marked the end of the antics of Basil Maduka and Joseph Ukaegbu in the case.
Senator Athan Achonu expressed his confidence in the due process he followed to win the Labour Party primary, which had officials of INEC in attendance. He refrained from discussing the court cases and focused on his campaign, expressing satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s vindication.
