Political parties drag DSIEC to court, seek stay of action on Delta council polls
By MICHAEL OLADAPO, Asaba
A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has on Wednesday adjourned the hearing a case instituted by Change Advocacy Party ( CAP), Alliance of Social Democracy (ASD), Advance Congress Democrat and others against Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC).
The political parties had approached the federal high court seeking an order to restrain the DSEIC from conducting the March 6 local government elections in the state over the alleged unlawful exclusion of some parties from the ballot.
In the suit No, FHC/ASB/CS/4/21 dated January 15, 2021, the Change Advocacy Party (CAP) and other parties are seeking an injunction compelling the INEC and DSIEC to cancel all primaries conducted in the state until they are included in the ballot since they (the first and second defendant) did not heed the ruling of the Federal Court of Appeal, Abuja, that the parties should be added to the ballot.
During the hearing on January 28, 2020, Counsel to the Plaintiff, Barrister Grace Ikeatu sought for adjournment, seeking for more time to enable her review the written counter affidavit of DSIEC, because they were served late Wednesday evening.
While, the second defendant Counsel, Mr. James Oru did not object to the adjustment.
The Presiding Judge, Justice T.B. Adegoke, after hearing from both sides, granted the application and adjustment till Monday, February 15, 2021.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, the chair of Change Advocacy party CAP, Mr Lucky Dikadi said they are satisfied with the adjustment as it would enable study the defendant counter-affidavit and respond very well. (Daily Independent)
