Court Stops Gov Obaseki From Edo PDP Guber Primary
- Restrains INEC from recognizing him
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Fresh trouble has come the way of embattled Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, as a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday barred him from taking part in the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rescheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2020.
Consequently, the court directed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not recognise him as a candidate in the Party’ primary election which is less than 48 hours away.
The order follows Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/69/2020 brought before the Court on Monday by one of the PDP gubernatorial aspirants, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.
Ogbeide-Ihama had vowed not to step down for Governor Obaseki, who was granted a waiver by the PDP’s National leadership to participate in the poll slated to hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin
The embattled Edo governor had defected to the opposition PDP after the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee disqualified him from taking part in the party’s governorship primaries that held on Monday, June 22, 2020
The Court papers show that defendants in the suit are: Prince Uche Secondus, Emmanuel Ogidi, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Chief Debekeme Boyleyefa, Senator James Manager, Hon. Barr. Ajibola Muraina, People Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiff, Ogbeide-Ihama, had sought an order of Interim Injunction restraining the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 Defendants from allowing the 8 Defendant or any member or non-member other than those that have purchased forms and were screened within the time stated in the said election Timetable, to contest the 7 Defendant’s Primary Election rescheduled to hold on 25 June, for the purpose of nominating or electing its candidate for the September 19, 2020 Governorship election In Edo State pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction.
Among others, he also prayed the court to grant an order of interim injunction restricting INEC, cited as the number 9 defendant from further recognising the 8 defendants, Obaseki, as a candidate of the party’s primary, pending the determination of the suit.
In his ruling, Justice Obile said: “That order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining INEC from further recognising or accepting Obaseki or any other person as candidate of the PDP other than those name of the plaintiff or that of other applicants, who have already purchased nomination forms and were screened within the time stipulated in the PDP’s timetable for the nomination process for the 2020 governorship election in Edo State”.
The Judge also granted the applicant’s prayers for substituted means of Service on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 defendants by serving the Originating Summons and other Court Processes in this suit on the said Defendants through publication in two (2) National Dallies (Newspapers) Or by serving the Originating Processes and other Court Processes in this suit at the respect addresses at the various Defendants as reflected on the Originating Summons.
Similarly, the Court granted an order for accelerated hearing on the matter and adjourned proceedings to Wednesday, June 24, for further hearing of motion on notice. – With agency reports
