Edo 2020: Court Fixes June 11 To Hear Suit Against Conduct Of APC Primary

A Federal High Court in Edo State has fixed Thursday, June 11 for hearing of suit filed by a faction of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) seeking restraint against the party from going ahead with its planned direct primaries for the Edo governorship election.

The National Working Committee of the party, led by Adams Oshiomhole, had chosen direct mode for its June 22 primary election to select a candidate for the September governorship election in the state, which is against the will of the governor, Godwin Obaseki who prefers indirect mode.

A governorship aspirant of the party, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen however approached the court seeking an order restraining the party from proceeding with the direct primary, citing the APC’s constitution which, according to him, provides that states are at liberty to suggest the mode of primaries to the national working committee of the party and that they have suggested indirect primaries.

The suit filed by the APC aspirant, has the party, its national chairman, Oshiomhole, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the inspector general of police as respondents.

Three other APC governorship aspirants Mr. Osaro Obaze, former deputy governor, Pius Odubu, and Osagie Ize-Iyamu, at the resumed hearing on Monday, filed a motion seeking to be joined as interested parties in the suit.

The trial judge, Justice Muhammed Umar, after hearing the argument of the counsel, ruled that the motion for joinder is not ripe for hearing and that parties will be heard on joinder at the appropriate time.

Justice Umar then asked all parties in the suit to maintain the status quo, directed all parties to file all papers and exchange the same within two days, and also adjourned to Thursday for further hearing on the matter.