The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, to challenge the legality of primary elections conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue.

In a suit marked “FHC/ABJ/CS/826/2022’’, the PDP and its governorship candidate, Titus Uba, are challenging APC’s primary election that produced Catholic priest, Hyacinth Alia, as its governorship candidate.

In another suit, marked “FHC/ABJ/CS/ 889/2022’’, Governor Samuel Ortom, Senator Gabriel Suswam and Senator Abba Moro are challenging the direct primary election of the APC that produced its candidates for the three senatorial zones in the state.

In the originating summons, the plaintiffs urged the court to compel INEC not to accept, recognise or publish the names of the APC candidates for the various positions being contested in the state.

It was dated June 8 and was filed by some senior lawyers led by Sebastine Hon (SAN).

The plaintiffs held that the APC candidates should not be recognised because the primary elections that produced them as candidates were conducted in breach of relevant electoral laws.

According to the plaintiffs, this violates constitutional provisions for the conduct of party primaries.

Meanwhile, the judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, has ordered substituted service of the court processes on the defendants after granting the application moved by Hon, counsel to the plaintiffs.

He adjourned the matter till August 1 for a hearing.

INEC, Mr Alia, Terlumun Ikya, Benard Yisa, Senator Barnabas Gemade, Mathias Byuan, Godwin Tyoachimin, and Michael Aondokaa (SAN) are listed as defendants in the multiple suits.

Others are Rep. Herman Hembe, Anyom Mlanga, Terwase Orbunde, Stephen Lawani, Sam Ode and Terhemba Shija.

Also listed as defendants are Emmanuel Udende, Titus Zam, Daniel Onjeh, Samuel Zuga, Torngee Malu, David Awunah, Nelson Alapa, Jacob Ajene, Austin Oleho and retired Maj.-Gen. Joseph Eje.

(NAN)