Ogun PDP Crisis: Court adjourns suit on House of Reps primaries to June 20

.......orders Service of Hearing Notice on State Chairman, others

By Adeola Olanrewaju

The Federal High Court, sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, has fixed June 20, 2022 for hearing in a suit filed by an aspirant to Federal House of Representatives, Oluwafemi Abiodun-Oni against the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and three others.

Abiodun Oni who seeks to represent Abeokuta North, Obafemi Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency dragged the People's Democratic Party, the  National Chairman of PDP, the State Chairman of the PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission for their failure to conduct  primary into the Federal House of Representatives in contravention of Section 84 of the Electoral Act.

When the matter with suit no FHC/AB/CS/85/22, came up on 14th June 2022 for mention before the trial judge, Hon. Justice J.O Abdulmalik, Counsel for one of Defendant who appeared for the Defendant claimed that he appeared in protest because his client was not served personally. Before adjourning the  matter till June 20, 2022 for mention, parties were advised to do the needful. 

In the affidavit deposed to by the applicant, he sought for three reliefs which include; "an order compelling the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants to conduct primary election into Abeokuta North, Obafemi/Owode Federal Constituency.

"An Order enlarging the time within which the primary election conducted may be submitted to 4th defendant, and in the alternative and an order declaring plaintiff as candidate of the 1st defendant".

It could be recalled that Samuel Abiodun- Oni had earlier petitioned the National Secretariat of the party over the failure of PDP, Ogun State chapter to conduct primary into the Federal House of Representatives.

Abiodun-Oni, in a letter addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu and made available to journalists, in Abeokuta, had asked the party to  intervene urgently before the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for submission of candidates’ name for the 2023 election.

In the Oni’s letter dated 24th May, 2022 and which was received and acknowledged on 26th May, 2022, he said he made himself available at the designated venue for the primary, but had to leave, when the officials appointed by the PDP National headquarters, did not report for the exercise.

Abiodun-Oni had sought the 1st defendant expression of interest form, filled and submitted the House of Representative Nomination form, submitted self

for screening and issued with certificate of qualification by the 1st defendant.

He then asked to court to determine whether the plaintiff, having presented himself in the venue published by the 1st to 4th defendants and having written to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants on its failure to conduct primary election to the Abeokuta North, Odeda and Obafemi/Owode Federal Constituency is entitled to be declared as the winner of the primary election by the 1st defendant for Abeokuta North, Obafemi/Owode Federal constituency.