Court Denies Jurisdiction on Suit by Aregbesola’s Loyalists

A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo on Wednesday denied jurisdiction to entertain the case instituted by 2,517 aggrieved members of All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, to invalidate ward congress held on July 31st 2021.

Justice Emmanuel Ayoola said the suit brought before the court was strictly party affairs, which the court lacks jurisdiction on the matter.

He said: “The claims of the plaintiffs are to draw the court to the internal affairs of the party which is not enshrined in the constitution.

“Supreme Court has said court can’t interfere with the internal issue of the party unless it falls under Section 87(9) of the Electoral Act.

“The plaintiffs are not qualified to be called aspirants in the said congress. An aspirant is someone who participated in the election. Plaintiffs have no status under or right under S. 87(9).

“The fact remains that this matter does relate to the nomination of any candidate, accordingly, the dispute does not fall under Section 87(8) of Electoral Act and Section 251 of the CFRN. The case of the suit of covered by the law and can’t be adjudicated by the court.”