Labour Party supporters in Abuja erupted in joyous celebration on Thursday after the Supreme Court upheld Senator Athan Achonu as the party’s candidate for the November 11 gubernatorial election in Imo State.
Achonu is vying to make history as the first physically challenged governor in the country through the off-season election occurring in the state.
Basil Maduka, a disgruntled contender in the previous LP primaries, contested Achonu’s candidacy in both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.
However, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Achonu and dismissed the case on Thursday, citing a lack of locus standi.
The Supreme Court justices, led by Justice Iyang Okoro, criticized the appellant for filing a frivolous lawsuit and wasting the court’s time.
The National Legal Officer of the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, praised the Supreme Court justices for upholding the rule of law and dismissing the case.
He said, “The justices discovered the case lacked locus standi and threw it out. They also chided the lawyers of the petitioners for wasting their time.”