.Party suspends another aspirant, Omogoroye, four excos
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim challenging the candidacy of Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 16 election.
The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, had on May 14 ordered the APC, Aiyedatiwa, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to file their defence in the suit.
However, at yesterday’s proceedings, Jimoh Ibrahim’s lawyer, Mike Uche, informed the court that his client had resolved to withdraw the suit.
He told Justice Ekwo that the withdrawal notice dated May 27 but filed on May 28 had already been served on the defendants.
Lawyers representing various parties in the matter confirmed receipt of the notice of withdrawal by the plaintiff and did not object to the withdrawal notice.
Consequently, Justice Ekwo dismissed the suit in its entirety on the ground that parties had already joined issues with each other before the withdrawal.
The Attorney-General of Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), commended Senator Ibrahim for allowing a sense of reasoning to prevail on the matter.
He urged the senator to team up and work together for the common development of Ondo State, especially in the forthcoming governorship election.
In another development, the APC in Ode-Aye Ward 1, Okitipupa Local Council of Ondo State, has suspended a female governorship aspirant in the primary election, Folake Omogoroye, for approaching the court to seek the cancellation of the primary election, alleging irregularities.
Others suspended alongside her include four ward executives, Ayesan Tunde (Organising Secretary), Jemiken Seyi (Assistant Public Relations Officer), Adebayo Omobayo (Assistant Welfare Secretary) and Eweje Omotayo (Assistant Treasurer).
Omogoroye’s suspension was contained in a letter signed by Akinsowola Awodele, Chairman of the ward, and supported by 12 other exco members.
According to the letter, Omogoroye was suspended for “anti-party activities and flagrant disobedience for the constituted authority of the party.”
