Group alleges Peter Obi has dual citizenship, seeks disqualification
A group, the National Rescue Movement, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking the disqualification of the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, over alleged possession of dual citizenship.
The plaintiff, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1842/2022, accused Obi of acquiring citizenship of Dallas in Texas, United States, in contravention of Sections 1 and 137 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
It prayed the court for an order to disqualify Obi from the presidential race on the ground of breach of the Constitution.
It also asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, dealing with or affording him any right or privilege to stand for the presidential election.
The group also presented a picture and video recording of the presentation of the citizenship certificate to Obi to lay credence to its case.
In a 14-paragraph affidavit in support of the suit, 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.
During the hearing, the presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, berated the plaintiff for failure to serve the originating summons on the defendants and thereafter fixed February 10 for mention of the suit.
The judge threatened to strike out the case if the plaintiff failed to serve the court process on the defendant before the adjourned date.
Defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission, Obi and Labour Party as first to third defendants respectively. Read more.