Court throw out disqualification suit against Osun governor-elect, Adeleke

Suit seeking disqualification of the governor-elect of Osun State, Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has been thrown out by Justice Obiora Eqwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

On Thursday, the presiding Judge in the case submitted that the plaintiff lack the locus standi to institute the suit against the governor-elect.

Adeleke was the governorship flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election that defeated the incumbent, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The plaintiff, Awoyemi Oluwatayo Lukman, had filed charges against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the PDP and Adeleke.

Lukman contended that there was unlawful action by Mr Adeleke, hence, Court should declare the submission of his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission a nullity.

The plaintiff further expressed his grouse, saying that Adeleke’s name was hurriedly submitted by PDP on March 11 as against between March 14 to 18 as contained in the INEC guidelines.

Adeleke’s name having not been submitted within the period fixed by INEC, the plaintiff asked the court to declare the submission, illegal, unlawful, null, and void and be set aside.

The plaintiff argued that the electoral body must be bound by its guidelines and going against it would be a violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.