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ONDO PRIMARY POLL: COURT SUMMONS APC, AIYEDATIWA, INEC
- Adjorns case till May 14
A Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appear in court on May 14.
This follows a suit filed by one of the APC governorship aspirants, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who is seeking to nullify the April 20 APC governorship primary election in Ondo State.
Senator Ibrahim is challenging the election that produced Aiyedatiwa as the party’s candidate for the November 16 poll in the state.
The primary, which had 16 aspirants, has been embroiled in controversy, with many participants accusing members of the election committee, led by Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo, of manipulating figures from their hotel room.
Speaking to journalists after today’s sitting in Abuja, Senator Ibrahim’s lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, noted that the case will address the internal democracy of political parties.
He also disclosed that the court has directed that Governor Aiyedatiwa should be served through the APC.
He emphasised the Supreme Court’s stance that political parties must adhere to their laws and election guidelines.
Chief Uche stated, “The Federal High Court has ordered APC, Aiyedatiwa, and INEC to appear in court on May 14 in connection with the disputed Ondo State Governorship Primary Election.
“The critical thing about this case is that it deals with the internal democracy of political party which is a major problem we have in this country. We hope and pray that this matter will address and resolve this issue once and for all.
“A Supreme Court has said severally that political parties must obey their own constitution and must abide by the guidelines they have set for the conduct of their elections. Without it, there is no way you can guarantee democracy in a country like Nigeria.