By Chioma Iruke, The Sight News
Following Donald Dukes appeal on a High Court ruling which saw his election as the presidential flag bearer of the Social Democratic party nullified, an Appeal Court has on Thursday 24th January, 2019, upheld his victory, thereby reinstating him as the party’s presidential candidate.
In a unanimous decision by a three-man panel led by Justice Abdul Aboki, the court set aside the December 14, 2018 judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, which had declared Jerry Gana as the candidate of the party awarding Duke victory. The court also awarded N500,000 cost against Gana in favour of Duke.
Reacting to this, the Social Democratic Party issued a press statement confirming the new development and also stating that there would be a national committee’ meeting within 24 hours to review the latest development.
According to the statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Alfa Mohammed, the party had made an attempt to commit both parties to an agreement which was refused by Professor Jerry Gana.
“Although there was an attempt by the party to commit the two claimants to the presidential ticket to an agreement against appealing the outcome of the judgment of the court of appeal, Prof Jerry Gana did not sign the said agreement.
“According to him, he felt that it was not necessary since the party did not find it necessary to initiate similar agreement when the matter was at the lower court. Meanwhile, the National chairman is expected to summon a National working Committee meeting within the next 24 hours to review the situation”, the statement read.
The press statement went further to state that Professor Jerry Gana would meet with his team to decide their next course of action.
“Be that as it may, the decision to appeal has always been the right of the parties, Prof Jerry Gana in this case. Hence he will meet with his counsels and the campaign council to review the situation and issue a statement in the next few days.”
