The National Chairman of the National Action Council (NAC), Dr. Olapade Agoro has told the Federal High Court Abuja, that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not responded to “the real cause of action” in the suit seeking the deregistration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), People Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).
DAILY POST recalls that Agoro, had in the suit number FHC/ABJ/05/782/18, dragged INEC before the Abuja Federal High Court 9, praying for an order of the court compelling the electoral body to deregister the three political parties on the ground of corruption.
The former Presidential candidate of NAC insisted that the legal action was pursuant to the provision of Section 15(5) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which states that: ” The state shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power”.
Agoro noted that both APC and PDP are the same and one party camouflaging to be different, adding that “unless my prayers brought before this Honourable court are answered positively, the democratic process in Nigeria shall never be free of evils of corruption”.
However, INEC in a written address in response to the plaintiff’s originating summons, filed on its behalf by the chambers of Chuks Okpara & Co. on 19th of October, 2018, is urging the court to dismiss the prayers of the plaintiff.
The written address was supported with an affidavit deposed to by Paave Demenongu, a member of staff in the legal department of INEC.
On whether it will be rightful and lawful for the 1st Defendant allowing the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants to be kept on its register of registered political parties, the INEC’s counsel argued that the “instant question and the attendant relief sought by the plaintiff is premised upon erroneously misconceived conclusion drown from paragraphs 8,9, and 10 of the Plaintiff’s Affidavit in support of the prayers”.
But in his reply to the 1st defendant’s (INEC) counter affidavit, Agoro declared that “The 1st defendant has filed nothing at all challenging the real cause of action brought for adjudication before this Honourable court”.
However, a reply filed by Agoro copies of which were made to journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, declared that his action calling for deregistration of the trio of APC, PDP and SDP was in the interest of the country, and not self-serving.
He declared that the INEC, up till date was yet to respond to the real issues in the matter.
Agoro said, “That as a reply to paragraph 5 of the 1st defendant’s counter affidavit, the instant case filed by the plaintiff was a national cause serving matter and not in no way self serving and or meant to achieve a political goal. Otherwise, the 1st defendant is hereby put on the block to prove and or state such political goal if any.
“That as a reply to paragraphs 6,7,8,9,10, 11,12,13,14 and 15 of the 1st Defendant’s Counter-Affidavit, it becomes apt to mention that all the aforementioned paragraphs are offensive and non responsive to the matter brought for adjudication before the Honourable Court”.
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