Senator David Umaru has declared he remains the All Progressives Congress, APC, Niger East senatorial candidate despite a ruling by Federal High Court, Abuja to the contrary.
The incumbent lawmaker said: “I was the candidate that was duly screened and cleared to contest the 5th October 2018 primaries for my senatorial zone.
“I remain the bona fide candidate of APC in the forthcoming senatorial election in Niger East Senatorial District until the decision of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.”
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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declared Mohammed Sani as the authentic APC candidate of the Niger East Senatorial District.
But, Mr Umaru argued the Court has no power to nominate a candidate for a political party, declaring the party is supreme and has the final say and decision.
He faulted the Judge for ignoring the evidence of the defence and assuming the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.
“The learned trial court ignored the evidence of the defence and assumed the responsibility of nominating its preferred candidate.
“I am therefore appealing the decision of the trial court because it is the responsibility of the court to determine who should be the candidate of a political party at elections.
“Another fundamental reason why I am challenging the decision of the learned trial Judge is that the trial court proceeded to hear and determine the matter without jurisdiction as the suit was filed in breach of the provisions of section 285(9) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”
Mr Umaru disclosed that he has filed a notice of appeal and stay of execution against the judgements.
According to him: “The law is tried and there is a plethora of Supreme Court decisions affirming the finality of the decisions of political parties regarding nomination if candidates.”
The Senator, who urged his supporters to continue with their campaign activities, said he is no stranger to court battles and is determined to fight the battle to the last.
“I am not a stranger to court battles as my entire political career has been shaped by court decisions. On several occasions in my political career, I relied in courts for justice.
“I do believe that the decision of the trial court which gave judgement to the Plaintiff was based on erroneous understanding of the law and facts placed before the court.“
