Court Stops Obaseki From Edo PDP Primary

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has barred incumbent governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, from participating in the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rescheduled for Thursday, June 25.
This was contained in a court document with suit FHC/PH/CS/69/2020 seen by Oasis Magazine on Monday night.
According to the court papers, the order of interim injunction was granted by Justice E.A Obile sequel to a suit filed by Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.
Ogbeide-Ihama is also contesting the PDP primary for the Edo State gubernatorial election.
Joined in the suit was the Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, Emmanuel Ogidi, Hon. Kingsley Chinda; Chief Bodekeme Boyleyefa, Sen. James Manager, Hon. Ajibola Muraina, the PDP, Obaseki and INEC.
In the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court order seen, Hon. Ogbeide-Ihama had prayed the court to bar Obaseki from contesting the primary election on the grounds that the Edo Governor did not purchase the nomination form for the election.
Also, he had held that Obaseki did not undergo screening within the time frame stipulated in the timetable by the PDP before the waiver granted Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress.
Ihama also questioned the validity of Obaseki’s certificates.
The plaintiff had sought an order of the court restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); from recognising Obaseki as a candidate of the PDP in the primary election.
Consequently, Justice Obile who heard the motion ex-parte ordered that the status quo be maintained.
This is pending the accelerated hearing of the motion on notice on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.
The primary of the PDP is scheduled for June 25, while the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the main election for September 19, 2020.