Edo 2024: Court to rule on Labour Party’s candidacy tussle July 19

The Federal High Court, located in Benin City, has postponed making a decision on the legal dispute surrounding the Labour Party’s (LP) February 23 Edo State governorship primary until July 19, 2024.

Mr. Kenneth Imasuangbon, one of the contestants, challenged Olumide Akpata, the party’s winning candidate, claiming anomalies in the process and personal paperwork from Akpata.

Justice Babatunde Quadri postponed making a decision until July 19, following the parties’ adoption of formal addresses.

Imasuangbon is contesting Akpata’s nomination on the grounds that the Labour Party conducted the primaries in violation of the party’s standards, the Electoral Act, and the party constitution.

Lead Counsel to the plaintiff (Imasuangbon), A. Malik, SAN, in his submission prayed the court to dismiss the submission of the counsels to Olumide Akpata on the ground that the 1st defendant violated the electoral act and party’s constitution which he noted are critical elements of the electoral process.

Malik also pointed out that his client has disclosed reasonable cause of action on the matter and urged the court to throw away the submission of the 1st defendant, declare and return the plaintiff as the winner or in the alternative void, nullify the primary election and order a fresh one.

He alleged that the LP primaries were marred with over-voting contrary to the party’s guidelines and the constitution.

On his part, the counsel to the defendant and running mate to Akpata, Kadiri Asamah, SAN, submitted that the argument and submission of plaintiff were baseless and cannot be litigated upon by the court. He said that it was a pre-primary issue and as such should be dismissed by the court.

Asamah, while adopting all the arguments containing his written addresses, urged the court to dismiss the position of the plaintiff adding that it was an abuse of court process.

Addressing newsmen after the court session, Imasuangbon expressed confidence in the ability of the court to dispense justice in the matter even as he reiterated his desire to bring about a better Edo State for all.