Edo Guber: Court Will Rule On LP’s Candidacy Dispute July 19

THE Federal High Court, sitting in Benin City, has reserved judgment for July 19, 2024 on the legal tussle over the Edo State governorship primaries of the Labour Party, LP, conducted on February 23.

One of the aspirants in the contest, Mr Kenneth Imasuangbon, challenged the candidate of the party, Olumide Akpata, who won the ticket alleging irregularities in the process and the personal documentation provided by Akpata.

Justice Babatunde Quadri reserved ruling for July 19 after parties to the suit adopted their written addresses.

Addressing newsmen after the court session Imasuangbon says challenging the nomination of Akpata on the grounds that the Labour Party did not follow the Electoral Act, the constitution of the party and the party guidelines in the conduct of the primaries.

Lead Counsel to the plaintiff (Imasuangbon), A. Malik, SAN, in his submission prayed the court to dismiss the submission of the counsels to Olumide Akpata on the ground that the 1st defendant violated the electoral act and party’s constitution which he noted are critical elements of the electoral process.

Malik also pointed out that his client has disclosed reasonable cause of action on the matter and urged the court to throw away the submission of the 1st defendant, declare and return the plaintiff as the winner or in the alternative void, nullify the primary election and order a fresh one.

He alleged that the LP primaries were marred with over-voting contrary to the party’s guidelines and the constitution.

On his part, the counsel to the defendant and running mate to Akpata, Kadiri Asamah, SAN, submitted that the argument and submission of plaintiff were baseless and cannot be litigated upon by the court. He said that it was a pre-primary issue and as such should be dismissed by the court.

Asamah, while adopting all the arguments containing his written addresses, urged the court to dismiss the position of the plaintiff adding that it was an abuse of court process.

Imasuangbon expressed confidence in the ability of the court to dispense justice in the matter even as he reiterated his desire to bring about a better Edo State for all.