Jubilation Hits PDP as Court Affirms Former Deputy Governor's Emergence as Senatorial Candidate
- Alfred Ajayi has been affirmed as the senatorial candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo South
- The affirmation was contained in a judgment given by Justice Ayobode Olujimi Lokulo-Sodipe of the Appeal Court
- The decision of the appellate court follows a suit filed by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo who challenged the ruling of the Federal High Court on the emergence of Ajayi as PDP's candidate through the party's primary
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed!
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure on Tuesday, November 29, affirmed the candidacy of a former deputy governor of Ondo state, Alfred Ajayi, as the senatorial candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo South.
Delivering a judgment on the suit filed by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo against the verdict of the Federal High Court which had earlier affirmed Ajayi as the candidate for the party, Justice Ayobode Olujimi Lokulo-Sodipe held that the latter is the authentic Ondo south candidate for the party.
Source: UGC
The court held that Ajayi should be the recognised senatorial candidate for the party in the forthcoming general election in 2023.
Tofowomo who is currently serving as the lawmaker representing Ondo South senatorial district scored 74 votes in the primary election while Ajayi polled 78.
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
The suit earlier filed before the Federal High Court
However, displeased with the outcome of the primary, Tofowomo filed a suit against the emergence of Ajayi as the party senatorial candidate for Ondo south.
In a suit with number FHC/CS/AK/ 83 /2022 was filed on July 5, with the plaintiff seeking the court's order to nullify the former deputy governor’s nomination.
Tofowomo in his suit prayed for the nullification of Ajayi's candidacy on the grounds that he provided controversial academic records for the election.
He alleged that once the winner was declared as not qualified, the runner-up should be declared as the winner in the election.
The matter was struck out by the Federal High Court.
However, not satisfied with the judgement of the lower court, Tofowomo headed to the appellate court to challenge the decision of the FHC.
having heard the suit, the Appeal Court dismissed the suit, on the basis that it lacked merit because the electoral act, practice direction and constitution stipulated the time within which such a suit should be filed.
The court said the failure of the appellant to key into the period stipulated by the law, which was clearly 14 days after the cause of action made the case and the appeal nugatory. He consequently dismissed the appeal with N250,000 fine.
Ex-minister, others arrested over alleged vandalism of APC property
Ikrah Aliyu Bilbis, a former minister of state for information had earlier been allegedly arrested by the police in Zamfara state.
Aliyu who is also the senatorial candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in the state was arrested for vandalism.
According to reports, they allegedly vandalised some of the billboards and campaign materials belonging to the All Progressives Congress in the state.
Police arrest ex-convict hours after release from prison in Lagos
In another development, the Lagos state police command disclosed that it arrested an ex-convict, a few hours after his release from prison.
The arrest of the suspect identified simply as Yakub Yusuf and aged 23, was made by the Operatives of Rapid Response Squad on Saturday morning, November 12.
Meanwhile, Yusuf was nabbed once more after illegally coming into the Lagos State Fire Service premises to steal valve covers of old fire trucks under repair.
Source: Legit.ng
