Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, an aggrieved aspirant who contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election held on April 20, has filed a fresh suit in court over irregularities in the polls.
News About Nigeria reports that Ibrahim, in a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, is challenging the nomination of incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the APC’s flagbearer for the governorship election.
The APC, Governor Aiyedatiwa, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are listed as defendants in the case.
Senator Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South in the Senate, alleges that the primary election was marred by irregularities, including the deliberate exclusion of delegates who would have voted for him.
He claims that this breach of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 renders the primary election liable to be set aside and nullified.
Through his legal team, led by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), Senator Ibrahim is seeking a court order to prevent INEC from accepting Governor Aiyedatiwa as the APC’s candidate for the governorship election.
He also seeks a perpetual injunction to restrain Governor Aiyedatiwa from parading himself as the APC’s candidate.
Furthermore, Senator Ibrahim is asking the court to set aside the primary election and compel the APC to conduct a fresh one in compliance with the relevant constitutional and electoral laws.
He also seeks an order delisting the APC and Governor Aiyedatiwa from the list of political parties and candidates participating in the governorship poll unless a fresh primary election is conducted.
Senator Ibrahim’s legal team has also applied for leave to serve the court processes on the APC and Governor Aiyedatiwa through substituted means, which was granted by Justice Inyang Ekwo.
The matter has been adjourned until May 15 for a hearing.
Meanwhile, the gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 16.
