Uduegbunam Chukwujama
An Abuja High Court on Wednesday nullified the e-registration exercise conducted by the People’s Democratic Party.
The Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/3257/2021 between Umoru E. Vincent , PDP Chairman of Etsako East and Anor. versus Peoples Democratic Party came up on Wednesday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for Judgment.
Mr Vincent had challenged the constitutionality of the adoption of e-registration in elisting new members of the party. He argued that it poses an extra burden interested members of the public contrary to the provisions of the party’s constitution.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAlthough the issues leading to the court case was specific to Edo State, it hoever has nationwide implications for the opposition PDP should the judgement be sustained.
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.
