The Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has granted an interim order restraining the All Progressives Congress from adopting direct primary in choosing its governorship candidate in the rescheduled primary election which will hold on August 31.
According to an enrolled order obtained by reporters, Justice E. G. Umukoro granted the order upon hearing a motion ex parte moved by the applicants’ counsel, Gideon Elebe.
The applicants are Japan Christopher, Evinson Oyindeyinfa, Oddu Ovinmiebi and Obiriki Isaiah while the respondents in the case are the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and 19 other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Other respondents in the suit are Jonathan Amos, Chief Orubebe Ogeibiri, Alabo Martin and C.T Olorogun for themselves and on behalf of the Bayelsa State Executive Committee of the APC.
The respondents have till September 5, 2019 to file and serve their response to the originating summons and orders of the court. The court fixed September 6 for hearing.
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Lanre Issa-Onilu has announced the postponement of the Bayelsa governorship primary scheduled to hold on Friday till Saturday.
Issa-Onilu, who announced the development in a statement issued on Wednesday also confirmed the adoption of direct primary for the state.
“This is in compliance with the decision of the APC National Executive Committee, which grants state chapters and majority of party leaders in a state the right to decide on the mode of primary they wish to adopt,” the statement added.
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