The governorship candidate of the Accord Party (AP) in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the suit filed against its National Assembly candidates before the Federal High Court for alleged flawed primaries.
Lulu-Briggs, who described the matter as an “unnecessary distraction,” said PDP’s action reveals its fear to test popularity at the polls.
When the matter was mentioned in court on Wednesday, counsel to the plaintiff, Den Nwigwe, moved an application to join more people in the suit, seeking an extension of time for the hearing of the matter.
The presiding judge, Justice Stephen Daylop-Pam, after entertaining submissions of all parties to the suit, adjourned till September 13 for a hearing.
Speaking outside the courtroom, the guber candidate decried PDP’s meddlesomeness, which he said: “seeks to disenfranchise other parties leaving a sole party at the polls.”
“From the very beginning, we say that this is an unnecessary distraction. The PDP has no business with the private affair of another party. This is not necessary. We should be doing other things, but PDP will continue to meddle in the internal affairs of other parties, and I do not know to what end they seek in disqualifying all the candidates so that they produce a sole candidate for all the elective positions in Rivers State.
“It is unfortunate, but the Rivers people must be allowed to choose who will be their next governor or senator.
“I think this is an unwelcome exercise embarked upon by the PDP and their action just indicates that they do not have good candidates, otherwise they will want to test their performance at the polls.
“They shouldn’t touch us with their dirty politics, we are very clean. Our politics is without bitterness, and when the ban is lifted, we just want to address the Rivers electorates, take our campaigns to the nook and crannies of Rivers State,” Lulu-Briggs stated.
Lawyer to Accord Party, A.J Owonikoko (SAN), expressed optimism that the matter would be expeditiously heard at the next adjourned date.