Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, may be missing on the ballot if a fresh attempt to get him disqualified from the February 25 election succeeds through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), succeeds.
In the renewed move via a suit at a Federal High Court in Abuja, he is now being accused of possessing dual citizenship, a condition for disqualification of a candidate from participation in an election in Nigeria under the constitution.
The suit filed by the National Rescue Movement (NRM), with INEC, Obi and LP as first, to third defendants, respectfully, alleged that he was no longer fit, proper and qualified for the the nation’s number on job on account of his dual citizenship.
The group in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1842/2022, is praying the court for an order to disqualify him from the presidential race on the ground of breach of the 1999 Constitution, saying the former Governor of Anambra State, acquired the citizenship of Dallas in Texas, United States of America in breach of sections 1 and 137 of Nigeria’s Constitution.
In the petition filed by Mohammed Danjuma, asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, dealing or affording Peter Obi any right or privilege to stand for the presidential election.
Supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit in support, Obi was said to have voluntarily acquired Dallas citizenship and the certificate of citizenship presented to him by the Mayor of Dallas, Mr Eric Johnson.
The party, which produced the picture and video recording of the presentation of the citizenship certificate to establish its case against the defendant, was however directed by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo to serve Obi the originating summons, while fixing February 10 for mention of the suit, after threatening to strike out the case should they fail to serve the court process on Obi before the adjourned date.
