COURT SAYS OBASEKI CAN CONTEST PDP PRIMARY ELECTION

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has struck out the suit filed by Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama aimed at stopping Governor Godwin obaseki from contesting the Edo State primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party slated for 25th June 2020. Earlier in the day, D.C. Denigwe SAN, who is Counsel to Ogbeide-Ihama, prayed the court for a stand down to enable the parties to the suit meet and resolve the matter out of court, an application the court granted. At the resumed hearing of the matter, few hours later, Denigwe SAN, informed the court that the Disputants have settled and prayed for withdrawal of the matter from the court. On their part, Higher King who is Counsel to Uche Secondus, the 1st Defendant and 2nd-7th Defendants, as well as that of the 8th and 9th Defendants, Alex Ejesiema, aligned with Denigwe SAN. Ruling on the matter, presiding Judge, Hon. Justice E.O. Obile according struck out the matter and commended the parties for resolving the matter out of court, which according to him, was the proper thing to do.

EKPOMA HIGH COURT RESTRAINS PDP, FOUR OTHERS FROM BARRING OBASEKI FROM PRIMARY

An Ekpoma High Court has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, Hon Andy Ikhajiangbe, Peter Akhimien and the Independent National Electoral Commission from excluding or purportedly to exclude or prevent any of the aspirants cleared by the party to participate in the primary election billed for 25th June 2020. The cleared aspirants are; Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, Kenneth Imasuagbon, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and Gideon Ikhine. court also restrained the Defendants from removing the names of the Claimants, Felix Irioh and Tony Irehobhude who are statutory delegates from the list of delegates to participate as voters in the Party’s primary election aimed at electing or selecting the Party’s candidate for the Edo State Governorship election slated for 19th September 2020, pending the determination of motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. Granting the order of interim injunction, presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Joy Okeaya-inneh, held that the Claimants Applicants have satisfied the guidelines for the grant of the order sought as enjoined in the celebrated case of KOTEYE vs. CBN 1989 1, NWLR PT. 98, 419 at 441. The noted that there was no undue delay in bringing the application. Hon. Justice Okeaya-inneh also ordered that hearing notices be issued/served on the on the 1st to 5th Defendants Respondents. The case with suit number HEK/125/2020 was consequently adjourned to 1st July 2020 for hearing of pending application.