By HUGO ODIOGOR

Indications emerged yesterday that the leadership of Democratic party (DPP) at the national level will appeal against the judgement of Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court Abuja which ruled that its candidate for Delta North Senatorial District Prince Ned Nwoko was not validly nominated to contest the National Assembly election.

In a joint statement issued by the National and  State in Asaba, DPP said it would approach the Supreme Court on Monday to appeal against the judgement that Prince Ned Nwoko was not validly nominated by the party as claimed by the plaintiff Mr.  Jude Eluemunor Azekwoh,.

 The party chieftain claimed that their candidate was denied the right of fair hearing in the suit brought against Prince Ned Nwoko. The Deputy National Chairman of the Party, Sir Olisaemeke Akamukali  and the State Chairman Chief   Tony Ezeagwu, said the party has instructed its counsels in Abuja  to appeal against the judgement which was calculated to distract its candidate and give victory to the opposition on a platter of gold.

Reacting to the judgement of Justice Bello at the Weekend, the Deputy National Chairman of DPP said Prince Nwoko complied with the party’s guidelines and the due process required to emerge as a candidate to represent the party.

He said Nwoko was duly nominated and returned, they therefore dismissed as baseless Mr. Azekwoh’s contentions that Nwoko was not known to the party leadership and members.

The statement said under the 2010 Electoral Act only the political party can present a candidate to the INEC and no court has the powers to dictate to political parties on who should be a candidate in an election. Also reacting to his  purported exlusion from the race, Prince Nwoko said it was a ploy by his opponent to stop the wind of change that was sweeping across the country and indeed Delta state and Anioma in particular.

Prince Nwoko who received tremendous moral booster from Ndokwa land said the era of Ambush political maneuvers is gone Prince Ned Nwoko got a boost yesterday when traditional rulers, elders and  leaders from Ukwuani led by His Royal Majesty Eze Monday Ossai endorsed his candidature for the office. Nwoko who is contesting on the platform of Democratic Peoples Party( DPP) was adjudged to be the best man for the job based on his record performance as a  member of the Federal House of Representatives from 1999-2003.

In a statement issued in Obiaruku, the headquarters of Ukwuani local government, the traditional rulers said Prince Nwoko was endorsed for his courage and out spokeness.

 It said” we have noted with elation  your brilliant performance as  a legislator in the House of Representatives  and your dogged resistance to oppression and intimidation in the hands of powerful overlords, consequently, we have seen in you a diligent, reliable, honest and open-minded man of the people.”