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January 13, 2023
The court said the Certificate of Return should be given to Agbo.
The lawmaker representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State, Dr. Francis Ottah Agbo, has expressed satisfaction with the judgment of the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja, which ordered the withdrawal of the Certificate of Return given to his main contender in the Peoples Democratic Party primary election, Barrister Aida Nath Ogwuche.
The court said the Certificate of Return should be given to Agbo.
The lawmaker, popularly known as the Ubagidi of Enone, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Andrew Agbese, said the judiciary has lived up to its name as the last hope of the common man.
Agbo dedicated his victory at the appellate court to God and the long-suffering people of Enone, calling on all members of his constituency to join hands with him to win the next election.
The Appeal Court in Abuja had disqualified the candidacy of Ms Ogwuche on the grounds that she did not resign her appointment with the public service before contesting the primary election of the PDP.
In a unanimous judgement delivered by a 3-man panel on Thursday, the Court held that Ogwuche's refusal to resign as stipulated violated the provisions of section 66(1)(f) of the 1999 constitution, as well as relevant sections of the Electoral Act and extant laws.
Meanwhile, Agbo, who is currently representing the Federal Constituency and also the Chairman of the House Committee on Narcotic and Drugs, has called on his supporters to be magnanimous in victory by remaining calm and friendly to everyone.
He said, having fought the military as a journalist for the return of democracy, it was incumbent on him to take every measure to safeguard democracy, which he noted was responsible for going to court in the first place.
"Yes, I went to court after the primary election of the PDP but it was not purely for personal gains but to ensure that the proper things are done to safeguard our democracy.
"I'm happy that the court has agreed with me that a dangerous precedent would have been set if a public servant is allowed to dabble into politics and be a contestant in a primary election without first resigning from office as clearly spelt out in both the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
"So, today it is not only a victory for Francis Ottah Agbo and PDP but a victory for democracy and the rule of law," the lawmaker said.
Agbo urged his opponents to take the court ruling as an act of God and have faith, knowing that it is only God that gives power.
He said, "Like I have always said, I have no human enemies to fight. My enemies are poverty and underdevelopment. So let's join hands to improve the lot of our people by ensuring continuity in our constituency."