On Wednesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja adjourned until June 1 a case challenging the Peoples Democratic Party’s upcoming presidential primary on May 28.
Ndukwe Chukwudi, a PDP presidential aspirant, had asked Justice Donatus Okorowo to halt the presidential primary on April 28 for violating the party’s zoning agreement and refusing to field a candidate from the South-East.
At the time, Justice Okorowo set May 18 as the deadline for parties to file written responses, which would lead to a decision on the case.
On Wednesday, however, counsel for the PDP chairman, M. Aliyu (SAN), informed the court that he had filed an application with the Court of Appeal.
He, therefore, urged the court to adjourn since his application before the Court of Appeal would be heard on May 26.
Other defendants in the suit including the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and another interested party, aligned with the submissions of Aliyu.
But Chukwudi’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), argued that the court should refuse the second defendant’s application but added that an application for a stay of proceeding or adjournment fell within the discretionary powers of the judge.
He also said that adjournment was necessary because one of the parties seeking to be joined in the matter had not been heard.
The Judge said, “I have seen the processes filed by the second defendant regarding the appeal, and parties have acknowledged that they have received the notice of hearing.
“In the present case, there is a motion for joinder, an application which the court cannot ignore.
“I hereby order an adjournment in view of the motion for stay at the Court of Appeal. Matter adjourned to June 1 for the continuation of hearing.”