The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has petitioned the State High Court in Udu to halt the upcoming local government elections scheduled to be held today, July 13 2024.
On July 4, through its lawyer J.A. Otorudo, the party filed an originating summons with Suit No. OUHC/127/2024 at the Otor-Udu High Court. The APC urged the court to declare null and void all actions taken by the electoral commission based on the guidelines published on May 3, 2024.
Addressing journalists in Asaba, APC Publicity Secretary Val Onojeghuo accused DSIEC of violating Section 32(1) and (2) of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2017.
According to the law, guidelines must be published at least 150 days before the end of the previous local government council’s tenure, or at most 30 days after their tenure expires.
Onojeghuo said that the party resorted to legal action due to alleged infractions committed by DSIEC against the 2017 law governing the elections. He criticized the commission for scheduling the timetable, party primaries, and campaign periods in violation of the law.
The originating summons, now served to DSIEC, seeks a court declaration to nullify all preparations made under the May 3 guidelines and to ultimately stop the election.
The summons, supported by a 19-paragraph affidavit and written address, also calls for a perpetual injunction to prevent DSIEC from conducting the elections under the disputed guidelines.
In a related case, APC councillorship candidates in Udu Local Government Area, who claim they were excluded from the election, have also approached the High Court in Otor-Udu.
The suit, No. OUHC/130/2024, filed by J.A. Otorudo, demands that the court restrain DSIEC from conducting the elections until the case is resolved.
