Court Blocks PDP, INEC From Excluding Obaseki, Other Cleared Aspirants From Edo Governorship Primary

A High Court of Justice in Ekpoma Judicial Division, has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others, from removing, preventing or purporting to exclude the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki or any of other aspirant who has been cleared by the party from participating in the gubernatorial primary slated for 25th June, 2020.

The Judge, J. O. Okeaya-Inneh, ruling in a suit filed by Felix Irioh and Tom Irehobhude, said, ” I find in my humble view that the applicants have satisfied the guidelines for the grant of the orders sought as enjoined in the celebrated landmark case of Kotoye v CBN (1989), 1 NWLR PT. 98, 419 at 441.”

The judge added, “The balance of convenience is in favour of the 1st and 2nd applicants and there is no undue delay in bringing this application. It is in that light that I find merit in this application.”

The defendants in the suit are Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the PDP, Hon. Andy Ikhajiangbe, Peter Akhimien and INEC.

The applicants sought “an Order of Interim Injunction restraining INEC from however refusing to recognize and/or accept the name of any of the aspirants named in paragraph 2 above especially Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki as lawful aspirants having been lawfully screened and cleared by the 2nd Defendant to participate in the 2nd primary election scheduled to hold on the 25th June, 2020 in any report of the monitoring of the said primaries pending the hearing of the Motion On Notice.”

The judge adjourned the matter to July 1, 2020, for hearing of pending applications.

THEWILL recalls that a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Monday issued an order stopping Obaseki from participating in the PDP’s governorship primary election.

Justice E.A. Obile gave the order Monday based on a motion ex parte filed by an Applicant, governorship aspirant and member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.

The PDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, granted Obaseki a waiver to enable him purchase the party’s governorship form and participate in the primary after the original period it set for purchase of forms and screening had expired.

However, Ogbeide-Ihama prayed the court to approve an interim order stopping the party from allowing Obaseki participate in the primary because the timeline set and widely publicized by the party for entry for the election had closed.

Substantive hearing of the suit has been adjourned till Wednesday 24 June.