Updated: Court Bars Obaseki From PDP Primaries

The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has restrained the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki from participating in the governorship primary election organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The court presided over by Justice E.A. Obile gave the order in pursuant to a motion exparte dated June 22 filed by one of the PDP governorship aspirants, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama.

The suit listed the defendants as Prince Uche Secondus, Emmanuel Ogidi, Chief Debekeme Boyleyefa, Senator James Manager, Ajibola Muraina, PDP, Godwin Obaseki and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court granted the prayers of the plaintiff restraining the PDP and its officials from allowing Obaseki, any member or non member other than those that purchased forms and were screened within the time stated in the timetable to participate in the primary election rescheduled for June 25th for the purpose of nominating or electing a candidate for the year 2020 governorship election in the state pending determination of the motion on notice.

The judge said: “That order of interim injunction is granted restraining INEC from further recognising or accepting Obaseki or any other person as candidate of the PDP other than those name of the plaintiff or that of other applicants, who have already purchased nomination forms and were screened within the time stipulated in the PDP’s timetable for the nomination process for the 2020 governorship election in Edo State”.

The court further gave orders for substituted service on the defendants and accelerated hearing of the matter.
While also granting an abridged time within which the defendants could enter appearance and file their respective counter affidavits, the court adjourned the matter to June 24.