Akwa Ibom State – – The crisis rocking Esit Eket Chapter the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) came to a head as some members of the Party have dragged the Party to Court challenging the conduct of Congresses purportedly held in March 2020.

In an Originating Summons filed on March 23, 2020 the Claimants are challenging the conduct of PDP Congresses in Esit Eket LGA and indeed the entire 31 LGAs of the State on 7th, 21st and 23rd March, 2020 on grounds of non-sales of forms and contravention of the PDP Constitution and Guidelines for the Congresses 2020.

They prayed the Court to nullify the Wards, Local Government and State Congresses in Akwa Ibom State for being illegal.

Joined in the suit as Defendants are the PDP, the State Chairman of PDP and INEC.

At the resumed hearing of the suit, the PDP State Legal Adviser Barr. Akpadiaha Ebitu who represented the PDP informed the Court that he had filed a Motion on Notice challenging the competence of the suit on grounds of jurisdiction.

When probed to know what the objections were based on, he said the Affidavit in support of the Application for Amendment of the Originating Process was not signed by the Commissioner for Oaths. He further said the name PDP Akwa Ibom State was wrong thus robing the Court of jurisdiction.

On his part, Counsel to the Claimants, Barr. Imo Akpan informed the Court that his Clients had not been served and the processes alluded to by Barr. Akpadiaha were news to him.

The Court berated Barr. Akpadiaha for filing processes and “going to sleep” without ensuring service of same on affected parties. Barr. Akpadiaha repeatedly apologized and promised to put his house in order before the next date.

The case has been adjourned to November 9, 2020 for adoption of arguments on all pending Motions.