A lawsuit has been filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to declare the seat of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, vacant....Read Full Article >>➤
The plaintiffs are challenging Ugochinyere’ s eligibility to hold office, citing his alleged expulsion from the political party that sponsored his election.
The court documents, made available to journalists in Abuja, pose two critical questions: First, whether a member of the National Assembly automatically loses their seat if they are no longer part of the political party that sponsored their election, as per Sections 65(2)(b) and 68(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Second, whether Hon. Ugochinyere, who was reportedly expelled from his party before the end of his term, should vacate his seat in the House of Representatives.
However, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has dismissed the lawsuit as baseless and laughable. In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA criticized the plaintiffs for attempting to misuse the judiciary and undermine democratic principles.
The group questioned the rationale behind the suit, noting that Hon. Ugochinyere has not defected from his party and remains a legitimate member of the National Assembly.
HURIWA also raised concerns about the motives behind the lawsuit, suggesting it is a politically motivated attack by individuals unhappy with Ugochinyere’ s stance on key issues, including his opposition to the defection of certain lawmakers and his support for Governor Fubara of Rivers State. The group described the suit as an embarrassment to the judiciary and a waste of taxpayers’ money.
The case has sparked a broader debate about the misuse of legal processes for political gains. HURIWA urged political actors to respect the rule of law and stop engaging in frivolous lawsuits that tarnish the integrity of Nigeria’ s democratic institutions.
What are your thoughts on this lawsuit? Do you believe it is a legitimate legal challenge or a politically motivated move to undermine a sitting lawmaker? Share your views in the comments section below! ...Read Full Article >>➤
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