A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, has ordered the PDP and INEC to accept Sen. Andy Uba as the party’s governorship candidate for Anambra.
This was as some chieftains of the party in Anambra who were summoned to appear before the NWC failed to appear.
They include Ubah, Chief Chris Ubah, Ejike Oguebego and Chief Benji Udeozor.
The chieftains were summoned for their involvement in the parallel Anambra governorship primaries held on Aug. 24.
They were to appear for preliminary hearing at the party’s national headquarters.
The party`s Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Tony Okeke, had in an earlier statement, alleged that the action of the members breached the party’s constitution.
The court, presided over by Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, gave the order in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, following originating summons, filed by the a factional Chairman of the PDP in Anambra, Mr Ejike Oguebego.
The court ordered the PDP and INEC to accept the outcome of the primaries conducted by the Oguebego-led faction of the party.
The primaries conducted by Oguebego-led faction of the party declared Sen. Andy Uba the party’s candidate for the Nov. 16 governorship election in Anambra.
The court also restrained PDP and INEC from accepting the outcome of the primaries conducted by Ken Emeakayi’s faction of the party.
It said that the PDP and INEC should stop further action, pending the hearing of the motion for an interlocutory injunction and motion to set aside the interim order.
The court adjourned the case to August 30 for hearing.
Meanwhile, PDP’s factional candidate for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra,Mr Tony Nwoye, has called for the cooperation of Sen. Andy Uba and others who contested the ticket with him.
He spoke with newsmen after receiving the Certificate of Return from the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur in Abuja on Wednesday.
Nwoye, who described the certificate as a `baton’, said it would enable him to mobilise party members to ensure victory in the election.
This, he contended, would not be possible without the cooperation of those who contested the ticket with him and all PDP members in the state.
He stressed that the unity of members of the party in the state was critical to face the opposition in the election and in the 2015 general elections.
Nwoye said he was already reaching out to reconcile aggrieved members and those who contested the party`s ticket with him, adding that the response had been positive.
“We are going to Anambra to reconcile party members and we are reaching out already, we will canvass votes for the party and ensure its victory at the election’’, he said.
He described his emergence as the party`s candidate for the election as a surprise to him, adding that he never expected that the primaries would be free and fair.
“I never believed that there would be a free and fair primary election in the state, this came to me as a surprise.
“My emergence as the party`s candidate is God`s design. Power belongs to Him’’, Nwoyestressed.
He said although Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra had done his best, PDP would want to take over the governance of the state.
He said the party would this do through a free, fair and transparent election.
He pointed out that the leadership of the party was championing the cause in line with the “one man, one vote” promise of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Nwoye called on the people of the state to see him as servant who was ready to serve.
He said if he won the election, security, employment opportunities and infrastructure development would be the priority of his administration.
“We would ensure security of the state, create jobs for the youths and put smiles on the faces of the down trodden.’’
He said he would not seek redress in court if he did not win the election as long as it was conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
He urged party members in Anambra to regard the interest of the party as superior.
The candidate said the court and INEC cannot stop him, adding that it was only the leadership of the party that could.
Earlier, Tukur stressed the need to ensure free, fair and transparent election and ensure that the will of the people prevailed.
He said he had never had a personal encounter with Nwoye until now, adding that with honesty, transparency and dedication, the country would be better for all.
Tukur advised Nwoye to remain disciplined, committed to the people and ensure he delivered true democratic dividends to the people in line with the party`s manifestoes, if he wins.