Nigerians of voting age resident in the United Kingdom and various parts of the world have dragged President MuhammaduBuhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before a Federal High Court in Abuja seeking enforcement of their fundamental rights to vote in the 2023 general elections.
In the suit marked FHC/ ABJ/ CS/2119/2022, they are praying the court to stop Buhari and INEC from further proceeding with the 2023 electioneering process until INEC’S voter register and bio-data base are updated to accommodate them as registered voters.
The plaintiffs in the suit are Barrister Chikwe Nkemnacho and Kenneth Azubuike Nkemnacho, both reside in the United Kingdom but instituted the suit on behalf of other Nigerians in the diaspora worldwide.
In the suit filed on their behalf by Augustine Temfeh-Nkemnacho, they are praying the court to declare that they are entitled to participate in the electoral process by being registered to vote in 2023 and in all elections wherever they are domiciled worldwide in line with sections 13, 14, 42 and 17 of the 1999 Constitution.
The plaintiffs also sought another declaration by the court to the effect that there is still sufficient time for INEC to comply with provisions of sections 13, 14 and 15 of the 1999 Constitution.
They canvassed that unless they are allowed to vote in the 2023 elections and subsequent ones, their fundamental rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution would be grossly violated.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo billed to hear the suit has fixed January 19, 2023, for its mention and to allow the defendants file their respective responses.
The four defendants in the suit are INEC, the Chairman of INEC, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.
Senator Omo-Agege warned the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, and People’s Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori, of the legal consequences of approving and authorizing loans to the governor that are later misappropriated.
He said a critical assessment of infrastructure across Delta State ridicules the sobriquet of “road master” that Okowa once gave himself, as there is practically nothing on ground to account for the over 3.5 trillion receipts by his administration.
“Today, the people and ancestors of Ukuani have rejected Okowa. Okowa is a weak foundation who should not even bring a successor not to mention that unfortunate choice of his. We are here to make a solemn pledge to get rid of Okowa and everything that he represents at the polls. We are here to build a new Delta of true prosperity; a secure society that thrives on equitable planning and appropriation of resources.”
Earlier, Senator Omo-Agege had commissioned various federal government intervention projects executed at his alma mater, St George’s College, Obinomba, during which he also awarded scholarship to an SS3 student, Miss Christabel Onomoin, up to university level.
The projects included a 100 bed capacity hostel for boys and girls each, a two floor classroom block, an E-library and administrative building.
He further pledged the provision of 30,000 gallon water tank to take care of an increased pupil enrolment of the school, construction of the internal road network, with solar powered lights on roads and perimeters of the school.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Senator Omo-Agege said the gesture was his contribution to improving the standard of education in Delta State because he believes the quality of education made available to students enhances their productivity and contribution to society.
“What we did is a clarion call to the State government which has failed to tackle the problems confronting the school. But this school laid the foundation of who I am today and this is my way of giving back to my alma mater.
During a courtesy visit, Senator Omo-Agege was conferred with the Chieftaincy title of Chiyeni Ugo 1, (who God has given the crown) of Umutu kingdom by HRH, Sunday Enwueliku Ossai, the Okpala-Uku of Umutu kingdom.
