A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to conduct a fresh primary election for the Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency.
The court also ordered that the new primary must be supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The plaintiff, Abiodun-Oni Samuel Oluwafemi, had dragged PDP, the national chairman of PDP; Iyorchia Ayu, state chairman of PDP; Sikirulahi Ogundele, and INEC to court, as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively, challenging the result of the primary election.
The plaintiff through his counsel, A. Okelola, faulted the delegates’ lists used for the conduct of the primary.
Delivering his judgement, Justice J.O Abdulmalik ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary election for the Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode and Odeda federal constituency within 14 days from the days of the ruling.
The court also ordered that the party must make use of the original delegates list for the rerun, adding that the candidate that emerged through the fresh primary should be recognised by INEC.
Reacting, the counsel to the plaintiff, A. Okelola commended the judiciary for standing on the path of truth and justice.
He said under democracy, there must be a level playing ground and everybody must be given chance to participate without disenfranchising anyone, and thank God for the judiciary which always protects all interests.
Also in his reaction, the plaintiff thanked the judiciary “for the opportunity given to him to reclaim his right, assuring that he was sure of victory whenever the rerun will take place.”
“I believe with this ruling now, issues of fake lists and kangaroo primaries held on 22nd May 2022 will be things of the past,” he said.