With the elections just 5 weeks away, the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, in the forthcoming general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has been dragged before the Abuja Federal High court, by another political party, National Rescue Movement, NRM, which among others, requested for the disqualification of Mr Obi on the grounds that he is a dual citizen of two countries.
The party had alleged that Mr Obi is no longer fit, proper and qualified for the highest plum office in the country.
The fresh disqualification suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1842/2022, prayed to the court for an order to disqualify the candidate from the presidential race alleging that he has breached the 1999 constitution.
The Defendants in the suit are INEC, Peter Obi and Labour Party as 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively.
In a 14-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit, Peter Obi was said to have voluntarily acquired Dallas citizenship, in Texas, USA, and the certificate of citizenship was presented to him by the Mayor of Dallas, Mr Eric Johnson.
The plaintiff argued that Obi’s acquisition of American citizenship is in breach of sections 1 and 37 of Nigeria’s constitution.
The party through its counsel, Mohammed Danjuma, asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, dealing or affording Peter Obi any right or privilege to stand for the presidential election.
The party produced the picture and video recording of the presentation of the citizenship certificate to establish its case against the defendant.
When the matter came up on Monday, Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo lambasted the plaintiff for the inability to serve the originating summons on the defendants.
Justice Ekwo thereafter fixed February 10 for mention of the suit and threatened to strike out the case should the plaintiff fail to serve the court process on Peter Obi before the adjourned date.
