COURT FIXES DATE TO HEAR SUIT DISQUALIFYING APC CANDIDATE, ADETOKUNBO ABIRU IN LAGOS EAST SENATORIAL ELECTION
The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed December 9, 2020, for the hearing of a suit seeking to restrain Adetokunbo Abiru, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from joining the race for Lagos East Senatorial District.
The suit which was filed by Babatunde Gbadamosi, candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) on October 2, is also seeking the disqualification of the APC for fielding an ineligible candidate.
The PDP is also challenging the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the registration of Abiru, insisting that he must be reconsidered and scrutinized.
The opposition party in the suit alleged that the APC candidate is not worthy of contesting for the senatorial seat because he is not from any of the Local Government Ares that made up the Lagos East Senatorial District.
It also alleged that Abiru is not registered to vote within the Lagos East Senatorial District, and accused the INEC of accepting him to tussle for Lagos East Senatorial District seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gbadamosi prayed the court to disqualify Abiru on the grounds that he registered twice and possesses two voter cards.
Gbadamosi stated that the act violates Section 31 of the Electoral Act.
Counsel representing PDP, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), is praying the court for an order "nullifying, cancelling and voiding the nomination, submission and acceptance of the name of Abiru as the candidate of the APC for the bye-election".
Counsels representing APC's candidate, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) and Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), asked the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction and failure to meet the requirements of Section 285 (9) of the constitution.
During the proceeding on Monday, Justice Chuka Obiozor said he will hear all pending applications and substantive suit in the case.
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Justice Obiozor also directed the lawyers to abridge the time for filing their processes before adjourning the matter to December 9 for hearing.
INEC had fixed December 5, 2020 to conduct the bye-elections in 11 States, but was postponed following the violence that erupted as a result of the hijacked #endsars protest.
INEC had also said it postponed the election following vandalisation of its offices and facilities by hoodlums.
Abiru, a former commissioner for Finance under the Governor Babatunde Fashola, on August 26, joined the race for Lagos East Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Sikiru Adebayo Osinowo aka ‘pepperito’ of the APC, who died of complications related to COVID-19 on June 15, 2020, at 46.
Subsequently, after the death of Osinowo, several candidates under different political platforms have shown interest in occupying the vacant seat.
Abiru amongst other APC members including former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, two former Speakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Jokotola Pelumi and Adeyemi Ikuforiji, former Senator who represented the senatorial district between 2011 and 2019, Gbenga Ashafa, a former Commissioner for Public Transportation and member of the Governor’s Advisory Council in the state, Chief Lanre Razak (now late) showed interest in the position.
Others include a former Clerk of the House of Assembly, Ganiyu Abiru; Tola Kasali, former commissioner, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu; former House of Representatives member, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman of Diaspora Commission and Kunle Soname, former council chairman; House of Representatives members Ademorin Kuye (Somolu) and Rotimi Agunsoye (Kosofe), and Muyiwa Adedeji, former Kosofe Council boss, were said to have indicated interests.
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