By Abraham Olatunbosun
An Abuja High Court has nullified the e-registration of members carried out by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and described it as unconstitutional and illegal.
Delivering the judgement in Suit No.: FCT/HC/CV/3257/2021 between Umoru E. Vincent, PDP Chairman, Etsako East & Anor. v. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Court found that the two issues for determination formulated by the defendant which differ from the questions contained in the Originating Summons are incompetent and were accordingly discountenanced.
On the issue of jurisdiction raised by the Defendant, the Court held that matters bordering on the interpretation and operation of the Constitution of a political party, especially where the party is alleged to have acted outside the provisions of the said Constitution, are within the jurisdiction of the Court.
On the merit of the case, the Court held that the electronic registration process introduced by the Defendant runs contrary to its Constitution as it imposes an additional requirement on the members of its party, both old and new. The Court also held that the introduction of Voters Identification Number (VIN) as a condition precedent to membership registration is equally contrary to the provisions of the Defendants Constitution.
Consequently, the Court resolved all the questions formulated for determination by the Claimants in favour of the Claimants and granted all the reliefs sought in the Originating Summons.
Reacting to the judgement, a PDP member in the state, told metrowatchxtra.com, see the “Fake and illegal 540,000 newly registered members in Edo. What was the total scores in the last Governorship election in Edo state?
“E-registration was a specious exercise in self deceit. Clear road make I pass jare“, added the Edo PDP faithful.
