BY Fredrick Nwabufo
Gabriel Kolawole, a justice of the federal high court, Abuja, has rejected an application seeking to stop Bukola Saraki, senate president, from the naming Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom state, minority leader of the senate.
Alaye Pedro and Okechukwu Ibeh – both members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – had filed an ex parte application challenging the ‘likely’ nomination of Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa Ibom, as senate minority leader.
They contended that Akpabio’s possible emergence as senate minority leader would breach the senate standing orders, which exempts first-term senators from holding such a position.
The PDP, which lost the majority seat in the senate to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the March general election, had zoned the position of senate minority leader to the south south, with Akpabio being the preferred candidate.
Delivering his ruling after listening to the argument of BJ Akomolafe, counsel to the plaintiff, Justice Kolawole held that litigants, not being members of the senate, had no locus standi to file the suit and be granted such an application.
Saraki is the first respondent in the case while Akpabio is the second respondent. Other respondents are Nelson Effiong, Bassey Albert, Emmanuel Paulker, Ogola Foster, Ben Murray Bruce, John Enoh, Gershom Bassey, Rose Oko, James Manager.
Others are Peter Nwaoboshi, Ighoyota Amori, Clifford Ordia, Mathew Urhoghide, George Sekibo, Olaka Nwogu, and Osinakchukwu Ideozu. All are serving senators.
This website uses cookies.