ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
A group, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, have a filed a suit before a Federal High Court three Bauchi, seeking for an order to compel a former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to honour their agreement with him to contest the 2023 Presidential election which is about 14 months away.
According to originating summons obtained by our Correspondent on Sunday, the suit, with number BA/331/2021 and dated 16th December, 2021, was instituted by Auwal Ibrahim who led other lawyers on behalf of the plaintiffs, Comrade Aliyu Ladan and Lawan Abdullahi, Chairman and Secretary respectively.
The plaintiffs claimed that their group entered an agreement with Kalu on 2nd February, 2021 in which he promised them that he would contest the presidential elections.
They, therefore prayed the Court presided over by Justice Mohammed Sambo, to compel Kalu to appear before it either personally or through his counsels within 30 days after the service of the summons, “whether upon proper construction of the social contract in the agreement date 2nd day of February, 2021 between the plaintiffs and defendant, the defendant is not bound by the terms contained therein?
They seek a declaration of the court that it is proper in law for the plaintiffs to approach the Court to enforce the agreement entered into with the defendant and also a declaration that the defendant is legally bound by the agreement entered into with the plaintiffs.
Furthermore, they also seek for, “An order of this Honorable Court compelling the defendant to declare forthwith his interest to run in the 2023 General Election.
“An order of this Honorable Court compelling the defendant to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the 2023 General Election under the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC or any other Political party of his choice.
“An order of this Honorable Court directing the defendant to commence preparation and put machinery in place for the purpose of participating and contesting in the 2023 General Election. And for such further orders as this Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”
The plaintiffs sought that if the defendant does not enter appearance within the 30 days and in the Bauchi High Court three, such orders will be made and proceedings may be taken as the judge may think just and expedient and “this summons is to be served outside the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court at Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.
Justice Sambo, in his ruling, said that after reading the motion papers dated and filed on the 14th and 15th December, 2021 supported by 12 paragraphs Affidavit and in compliance with the Court Practice Direction, a written Address was also filed and haven listened to and considered submissions by Auwal Ibrahim, the lead counsel for the applicant, and the Application having complied with the Rules of the Court; “I hereby declare that LEAVE of the Court is granted to the Plaintiff/Applicant to issue out and serve the Originating Summons on the Defendant/Respondent at Abuja outside the Jurisdiction of the Court.
“l now order the Plaintiff/Respondent to serve the Originating Summons and any other processes on the Defendant/Respondent at the F C T Abuja outside the Jurisdiction of this Court.”
He then adjourned the case to 27th January, 2022 for hearing.
Meanwhile, addressing journalists at a press conference in Bauchi on Sunday, the Plaintiffs claimed that only Kalu can rescue Nigeria from its present precarious situation.
“We know his capacity to change the scenario, his capacity to change things from negative to positive because he did it in Abia state; despite the challenges there, Kalu turned Abia state into a great state. It was because of his laudable achievements and leadership capacity, that we entered into agreement with him last 2nd February 2021 that he will contest for President, but he is reluctant to declare his interest.
“We know Kalu is a person with all the capacities and capabilities to change the narratives of our nation, he is a man of purpose and foresight, a mentor to many citizens, a dynamic Nigerian, an advocate of justice, a revolutionary politician, a consummate administrator, master strategist and a blessing not only to the Igboland, but to the entire country,” they said.
They described him as a presidential material with experience in the private sector, executive and legislative arms of government and therefore, urged the ruling All Progressives Congress APC to commence the processes of adopting him as the sole candidate of the party, stressing that “Kalu’s managerial skill, experience, and national appeal put him in the best position to rule Nigeria in 2023.”
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