From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The State High Court sitting in Jos the Plateau state capital is to decide the fate of the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda seeking to be joined in a suit filed by party delegates who purchased delegates forms but were disenfranchised from participating in the party’s primary elections in the state.

 The aggrieved aspirants have since prayed the Court to nullify all activities carried out by the party as it concerns primary elections in the state.

The development is coming after Counsel to the APC Governorship candidate, A. G Yirvoms at the last sitting on Thursday sort the Court to consider the earlier amended originating sermons of Counsel to the claimant alive to enable his client join the suit which is capable of affecting the right of the flag bearer- of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

At the hearing of the application to join the suit last week Thursday at the High Court 3 in Jos, Counsel to the claimant, S.A Abah Esq said the APC Governorship candidate has no business in the suit because he is not an official of the APC.

Abah while speaking to newsmen explained that, “Nentawe through his lawyer are seeking to join the suit, and the application is predicated on an amended originating sermon dated September 9. Now, that originating sermon has not even come to life, is a docile document, it has not been deem and that is what he is seeking to join!  So, is like entering a house that does not even exist.”

He further stated, “Dr. Nentawe filed an application to join this suit, but we filled a counter saying that he has no business in this case. So his lawyer today argued the application and we also argued our own position. The Court has adjourned to 22 November, 2022 for ruling to know whether Nentawe will be joined or will not be joined.

“In our own opinion he is a busy body in this case, he has no business here because what is been ex-rayed is the functions and duties that were carried out by the All Progressive Congress (APC) before even the primaries that produced him, he is not an official or an officer of the party. He is just a candidate running under their platform,” he explained. 

Meanwhile, counsel to the APC governorship candidate, Barr. Yirvoms earlier said his client sort to join the suit because the crux of counsel to the claimant is that “Those who finally made to the delegates list should not participate in the primaries, he is seeking an injunction to restrain them from participating.

“Now given the fact that those his relieves were over taken by events, he now came by way of amendment to say having allowed them to participate in the primaries and what have you, the Court should declare the participation null and void. And we say since we are the product of the primaries, we are the flag bearer, our right will be affected that is why we filled an application to join!” he explained. 

He further argued that since counsel to the claimant has withdrawn his amendment and is relying on his first process that was filled which prayers are lifeless, all have been taking over by events. “The primaries have long been conducted, they’re no longer a life issue, the Court cannot grant their prayers, it has been taken over by event,” he confidently stated. 

However, Justice A.I Ashom of High Court 3 had earlier on questioned the defense Counsel whether he is not in a rushed to join the suit? After listening to various arguments the Court later adjourned the mater to Tuesday 22 November, 2022 this week for ruling.