A former Deputy Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Rt. Hon Tola Banjo has congratulated the Party’s gubernatorial standard bearer in the state, Hon Oladipupo Adebutu and all other candidates across all elective positions over Monday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal, which upheld their eligibility to contest the 2023 general elections.
The ex-lawmaker in a statement shortly after the judgement was delivered said the court ruling represents a positive step towards Ladi Adebutu’s impending overwhelming victory at the polls come 2023.
Hon Tola Banjo described the verdict as “victory for democracy and the rule of law especially in protecting the inalienable rights of eligible citizens to freely participate in the electoral process without any form of hindrance” adding that the development has helped to enrich the judiciary and further deepened the nation’s democratic evolution.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan sets aside the judgment of Justice O. Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High court on 27th September, 2022 delivered in favour of Prince Segun Seriki.
The appellate court dismissed the objection of Prince Segun Seriki claiming non personal service of notice of appeal.
After which the appellate court went to the merits of the substantive matter, the court affirmed that only a National body of the party that can nominate and conduct a primary election of the party.
The appellate court also ruled that Bamgbose has no right to conduct primary election because it can not benefit from Buba’s judgment 636 of 2016
The court also affirmed that it is the exclusive right of the National body of the party to conduct primary therefore Prince Seriki and Bamgbose conducted an illegal and unlawful primary. This is unknown to law and it is in nulity.
The court also ruled that Prince Segun Seriki and Bamgbose had no locus standi to approach the court on the PDP primaries since his acclaimed conducted primary was not recognized by law.
The appeal court therefore set aside the judgment of Justice O. Oguntoyinbo that the Federal High lacked jurisdiction to have entertained the suit filed by appellants who had no locus standi and directed all parties involved including INEC to follow the decision of the court. This reinstates all candidates of PDP in Ogun State.
