PDP Chieftains Sue Tinubu, Akpabio Over Umoren’s REC Appointment

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Aniekan Akpan, and the Secretary, Harrison Ekpo, are suing President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio in an Abuja court over Etekamba Umoren’s appointment as the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner.

In their originating summons filed on Tuesday, the plaintiffs are requesting the court to make several declarations, including the assertion that Umoren is ineligible for the REC position due to his membership in the All Progressives Congress (APC)

They attached to their summons of Umoren actively engaged in campaign activities for Senate President Godswill Akpabio while wearing APC kits on campaign grounds.

According to the PDP chieftains, he said the constitution, which is of utmost importance, should be strictly adhered to in the determination of how the President carries out his duties under Section 154(3).

This pertains to determining the eligibility of individuals to be appointed as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for Akwa Ibom and all states in Nigeria.

They contended that election rigging, a significant threat to democracy in Nigeria, originates from the improper appointment of partisan officers into INEC and must be opposed in the best interests of all citizens.

They request the court to declare Umoren’s appointment as illegal, null, and void. They pointed out that Tinubu did not consult with the Council of State before making the appointment on October 25, 2023.

Other prayers sought by the plaintiffs include, “A declaration that the 1st defendant (Tinubu) cannot present the 3rd defendant (Umoren) to the 2nd defendant (Senate) for confirmation as REC for Akwa Ibom.

“A declaration that the appointment of the 3rd defendant as REC is unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, null and void ab initio, and of no effect whatsoever.”

The plaintiffs are also requesting an order of perpetual injunction that prohibits Tinubu from presenting Umoren to the Senate as REC.

they have requested a perpetual injunction that prohibits the Senate from allowing, permitting, or confirming Umoren as the REC, along with another injunction that stops Umoren from assuming the office or representing himself as the REC for Akwa Ibom.

Kanyi Daily recalls that Bola Tinubu had written to the Senate asking it to confirm the newly appointed service chiefs.