PDP Drags Buhari, APC, INEC, AGF Army, Others to Court over Buhari’s Order

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has charged President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Army, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Nigeria Police to court over the President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to the military to deal ruthlessly with ballot boxes snatchers.

Buhari had during the APC caucus meeting in Abuja last Monday said, “ Anybody who decides to snatch ballot boxes or lead thugs to disturb it (elections), maybe that would be the last unlawful action he would take. I have directed the police and the military to be ruthless”.

Dissatisfied with the President’s directive, the main opposition party has filed a case with suit number, FHC/ABJ/C5/255/2019 before federal high court, Abuja, praying the court to declare the directive as unlawful, null and void and of no legal effect.

Others joined in the suit include: National Assembly, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian and the Air force.

The PDP prayed the court that, “The 1st Defendant (President federal republic of Nigeria) lacks the powers to deploy troops of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria comprised to participate In the 2019 general elections without the prior express approval of the 2 Defendant (National Assembly) and that any such deployment In the absence of the 2 Defendant’s (National Assembly) approval ls Illegal, ultra vires and unconstitutional.

It also seeks declaration that, “The Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air force defendants are not under any obligation to enforce, implement and/or in Army way give effect to President Federal Republic of Nigeria directive of 18th February, 2019 to be ruthless deal summarily with alleged election offenders during the 2019 general elections even at the expense of human lives.

“That security agencies have a duty to disregard and disobey the unlawful and Illegal directives of the 1st Defendant (President) given on 18th February 2019 for them to be ruthless and deal summarily with alleged election offenders during the 2019 general elections at the expense of their lives.