Court stops Obaseki from participating in PDP governorship primary election
A federal high court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has stopped Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki from participating in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary slated for Thursday, June 25th .
One of PDP governorship aspirants, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, filed the suit on Monday after vowing not to step down for Obaseki.
Honourable justice E.A Obile, granted the order, allowing the defendant to serve the parties through substituted means in two national dailies and adjourned till June 24th for hearing of the summon.
The court granted the prayers of the plaintiff restraining the PDP and its officials from allowing Obaseki, any member or non member other than those that purchased forms and were screened within the time stated in the timetable to participate in the primary election rescheduled for June 25th for the purpose of nominating or electing a candidate for the year 2020 governorship election in the state pending determination of the motion on notice.
The judge said: “That order of interim injunction is granted restraining INEC from further recognising or accepting Obaseki or any other person as candidate of the PDP other than those name of the plaintiff or that of other applicants, who have already purchased nomination forms and were screened within the time stipulated in the PDP’s timetable for the nomination process for the 2020 governorship election in Edo State”.
The court further gave orders for substituted service on the defendants and accelerated hearing of the matter. While also granting an abridged time within which the defendants could enter appearance and file their respective counter affidavits, the court adjourned the matter to June 24.
