Benue gov’ship: Court strikes out APC aspirant’s suit against candidate

• Another orders fresh primary in Abia

A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a suit by an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), challenging the emergence of Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia as the party’s candidate for the 2023 general elections.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed yesterday held that Aondoakaa who challenged the outcome of the May 26, primary of the APC for non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 ought to have filed within 14 days rather than June 10, which was beyond 14 days of the cause of action.

He said, “The suit is, therefore, incompetent and the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the suit and the suit is hereby struck out.”

Similarly, another Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the nomination of Gregory Ibe as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State.

The suit challenging the Abia State governorship primary election of APGA was filed by an aspirant, Chikwe Udensi.

Justice Binta Nyako in a ruling yesterday ordered a fresh primary within 14 days.

By John Chuks Azu (Abuja) & Linus Effiong (Umuahia)