Politics
EKITI: Ex-Gov Oni loses court battle to unseat Gov Fayemi
A federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State has nullified the case instituted by former Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti state against the incumbent governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
The judgement was delivered by justice Uche Agomoh on Monday.
Oni had filed a suit challenging the eligibility of Governor Fayemi to contest the May 12, 2018 governorship primary election of APC in the state.
Read also: Dogara blames INEC, security agencies for vote-buying in Osun gov election
He contended that Fayemi was not legally qualified to take part in the contest, having failed to resign his post as the mimister for mines and steel development under president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
ayemi reportedly resigned his appointment on May 30, about 18 days after he clinched the ticket.
Fayemi went ahead to win the primary election and subsequently defeating Olusola Eleka of the PDP to become the governor of the state.
In a two-hour delivered judgment, Justice Uche Agomoh, threw out Oni’s suit for lacking in merit, saying, “I am of the firm view that the originating summons is hereby dismissed.”
The judge held, “Indictment does not satisfy the definition of conviction. He cannot be disqualified. The issue of 30 days resignation before election does not apply in this case.”
He said that the applicant’s claim that Fayemi was an official of the APC and a public servant could not be proved.
READ ALSO: ELECTORAL BILL: We will resist your ‘assault on democracy’, Ezekwesili tells Buhari
The judge added that Fayemi as a minister of the federation was not a public servant but a political office holder and an appointee of the President, hence the 30 days resignation stipulation did not apply.
Responding to the ruling, Oni’s counsel said, “We are going to study this judgment to determine the next cause of action”.
Meanwhile, the outcome of the judgment generated jubilation in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Monday by supporters of Fayemi.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
INVESTIGATION: In Kwara, multimillion-naira milk processing plant is abandoned, converted to a chicken outlet
After the government spent millions of naira to establish a milk processing plant in Kwara State that would provided jobs...
SPECIAL REPORT: For Sokoto communities, promise of healthcare is akin to death sentence
In this story, ABDULRASHEED HAMMAD delves into the dire realities of Primary Health Care services in Sokoto State, shedding light...
ICYMI…SPECIAL REPORT: NNPCL hides behind PIA to frustrate disclosure, accountability
Nigeria’s major oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), in what appears to be a common practice of disregard...
INVESTIGATION: Multi-million naira Ekiti resort center remains uncompleted a decade after
The multimillion-naira project, expected to comprise recreational buildings, now consists of cassava farmland, a bush used for excretion, and a...
SPECIAL REPORT: Torturous experiences of students with disabilities in Oyo tertiary institutions
For students with disabilities in Oyo state-owned tertiary institutions, learning is a torturous and distressing experience, considering the building structures...