Group Seeks Obi’s Disqualification Over Dual Citizenship

The National Rescue Movement has dragged the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi to court over alleged possession of dual citizenship.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1842/2022 at the Federal High Court, the plaintiff accused Obi of acquiring citizenship of Dallas in Texas, United States of America in contravention of Sections 1 and 137 of Nigeria’s Constitution.

Defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission, Obi and Labour Party as first to third defendants respectively.

The plaintiff is praying the court for an order to disqualify Obi from the presidential race on the ground of breach of the 1999 Constitution and asked for an order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognising, dealing or affording him any right or privilege to stand for the presidential election.

To establish its case, the party presented a picture and video recording of the presentation of the citizenship certificate to Obi.

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.

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.