2023: LP Reacts As PDP Seeks Peter Obi’s Disqualification From Presidential Race

The Labour Party has reacted to the suit seeking the disqualification of its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from the 2023 general election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission to stop Obi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu from selecting Kashim Shettima and Datti Baba-Ahmed as their running mates.

The PDP also asked the court to rule that Tinubu and Obi cannot run for office unless they do so with their respective former running mates, Kabiru Masari and Doyin Okupe.

In the originating summons with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022, the PDP is seeking an order barring the Independent National Electoral Commission from replacing the running mates of Tinubu and Obi.

The first to seventh respondents in the case are INEC, APC, Tinubu, Masari, Labour Party, Obi, and Okupe.

The PDP asked the court to determine if by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31, and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s timetable, Tinubu and Obi are bound by the submission of Masari and Okupe respectively as their running mates.

In an interview with The Punch on Thursday, the Labour Party’s lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, confirmed the suit seeking Obi’s disqualification from the 2023 presidential race.

The lawyer added that he had received the court processes and the party has begun filling a response to the suit.

“I have received the processes and we are filing a response already,” he said.