Justice Y. Halilu of an Abuja High Court sitting at Kubwa, on Friday restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from forwarding to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the result of the congress it held in Akwa Ibom State on December 8 for the purpose of producing a gubernatorial candidate in the state for the 2015 general elections.

Halilu who granted an ex-parte application that was filed by a chieftain of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Ime Effiong Ekanem, ordered the party not to send the outcome of the said congress or the name of any one as its gubernatorial candidate for the state until January 5, when the substantive suit will he heard

Listed as defendants in the suit were the PDP, its National Chairman and the National Secretary of the party.  Justice Halilu also issued an order for the substituted service of the motion on notice, originating summons, and all other processes in the suit on the 2nd and 3rd defendants by serving same on the office of the Legal Adviser of the PDP at its head quarters in Abuja.

The judge however declined request for the abridgement of time for hearing of the case, saying the prayer could not stand in view of the Christmas and New Year break