Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has filed a lawsuit against the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the contentious primary election that resulted in Aiyedatiwa’s selection as the APC candidate for the November election.
Representing Ondo South in the Senate, Ibrahim seeks to invalidate Aiyedatiwa’s nomination as the APC candidate, citing the April 20 primary election as unlawful and riddled with irregularities. Filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Chris Uche on his behalf, Ibrahim alleges violations of constitutional and electoral provisions during the primary election, including non-accreditation of some eligible delegates.
He petitions the court to prevent INEC from recognizing Governor Aiyedatiwa as the APC candidate for the forthcoming gubernatorial election and seeks a perpetual injunction restraining Aiyedatiwa from representing himself as such. Additionally, Ibrahim requests the nullification of the primary election and a directive for the APC to conduct a fresh primary in accordance with constitutional and electoral guidelines.
Ibrahim urges the court to exclude the APC and Aiyedatiwa from participating in the gubernatorial poll until a lawful primary is conducted to nominate a candidate. During Wednesday’s proceedings, Ibrahim’s counsel moved an ex-parte application for substituted service of court documents on Aiyedatiwa through any APC staff at the National Secretariat in Abuja, which was granted by Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo.
Justice Ekwo scheduled May 14 for the hearing of the case.