Disqualification of Cross River southern Senatorial candidate: Labour Party seeks stay-of-execution, files appeal
The Labour Party has applied to the Federal High Court in Abuja for stay of execution of the judgement which disqualified their candidate for Cross River Southern Senatorial district, Mr Daniel Asuquo.
The party in a statement signed by its State chairman, Ambassador Ogar Osim and released Wednesday evening, said they were ready to proceed to the Appeal Court to appeal the High Court judgement.
Hon Daniel Asuquo, popularly known as Dansuki, represented the Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency in the House of Representatives for 12 years.
Justice A.R. Muhammed presided over the court which nullified the primaries conducted in Calabar by the Labour Party for the Cross River State Southern Senatorial District.
The court disqualified Asuquo and ordered his immediate delisting as a candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Former commissioner for finance in the State, Asuquo Ekpenyong jnr., who is the APC candidate for the same senatorial seat, had dragged the LP candidate to court over allegation that the LP did not follow due process in conducting the senatorial primary.
Reacting, Osim disagreed with the High Court judgement, arguing that they complied with all the requirements and processes.
He explained that, “Asuquo duly resigned from his former party. His resignation letter was duly published and widely circulated.
“He formally approached our party and formally registered at his local ward in line with the party’s constitution.
“I also want to confirm that our party also followed due process in the conduct of the primary election which produced Hon Daniel Asuquo as our candidate for the Cross River Southern Senatorial District election.”
According to the LP chairman, the security agencies, INEC officials and party dignitaries from the national headquarters were present during the primary election.
He asserted that co-contenders from other parties for the Senatorial seat were scared of the popularity of their candidate who has spent 12 years in the green chambers, representing the Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency.
