Ogun: Lawyer seeks to disqualify Sagamu LG Chairmanship candidate in Council polls

Prince Adebayo Ogunmeno, a legal practitioner and Chairmanship aspirant for Sagamu Local Government election, has began moves to disqualify Afolabi Jubril Odulate, the Sagamu Local Government APC Chairmanship candidate for the council polls slated for 16th November, 2024.

Ogunmeno, the plaintiff, has sued the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Afolabi Odulate, All Progressives Congress (APC) and six others at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, alleging that Odulate was imposed as Chairmanship candidate by APC over other Chairmanship aspirants without conducting primary elections.

He is therefore praying the court for an order directing OGSIEC to remove the name of Afolabi Odulate presented by the APC for the coming Sagamu local government election.

In the suit marked FHC/AB/141/24, the lawyer sued the APC, Odulate, Chief Yemi Sanusi (State Party Chairman), Alhaji Rafiu Opaleye, Hon. Funmilayo Efuwape (Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs), Hon. Oladimeji Oresanya (Commissioner for Environment), Hon. Oriyomi Adewunmi Onanuga (House of Representatives member), Alhaji Dauda Olokun and OGSIEC as the 1st to 9th defendants, respectively.

Great Achiever Magazine reports that in the run-up to the November 16 polls in the state, there have been agitations and protests among members of the ruling APC across the 20 local government areas over alleged imposition of chairmanship and councillorship candidates.

But in an originating summons in the case he instituted to challenge the alleged imposition, Ogunmeno sought for an order directing and prohibiting OGSIEC from including or printing Afolabi Odulate's name on the ballot paper it plans to use in the conduct of the 2024 local government elections in the state.

The plaintiff asked the court to determine whether the APC can under the Electoral Act, 2022 unilaterally pick Afolabi Odulate as its Chairmanship candidate for Sagamu local government over him and other aspirants, without holding either a direct, indirect, or consensus nomination primary election for the aspirants.

He also asked the court to determine whether the APC can impose Afolabi Odulate as its candidate over the plaintiff or other aspirants under the party's constitution without holding a direct, indirect, or a consensus nomination election for aspirants.

Ogunmeno further prayed the court to determine whether OGSIEC can legally accept or include Afolabi Odulate as the APC candidate on the ballot in Ogun State, where the electoral body knew that the ruling party did not hold a direct, or indirect, or a consensus nomination primary for aspirants in Sagamu local government.

He also asked whether the APC is strictly bound to follow and apply the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and its own Constitution in the process of choosing its Chairmanship candidate for Sagamu local government, where there is more than one aspirant contesting for nomination of the party.

Other reliefs sought by the aggrieved aspirant include a declaration that by the community effect of sections 84(1) - (12) and (13) of the Electoral Act, 2022; and Article 20(ii) and (iv)(a)-(d) of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, political appointees and those holding political offices are not eligible to vote as delegates or select the Afolabi Odulate as Chairmanship candidate for Sagamu local government.

Ogunmeno also sought for "a declaration that by the community effect of sections 84(1) -(11) of the Electoral Act, 2022; Article 20(ii) and (iv)(a)-(d) of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, the party is bound to conduct a nomination primary election to choose its Chairmanship candidate for Sagamu local government particularly where there are more than one aspirants vying for the elective position.

He is equally asking the court for "a declaration that by the community effect of sections 84(1) - (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022: Article 20(ii) and (iv)(a)-(d) of the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, the vote or votes of political appointees would not count as delegates in any nomination primary for the purpose of determining the Chairmanship candidate for Sagamu local government in the 2024 local government election in Ogun State."

The plaintiff is also seeking "a declaration that for the purpose of selecting its Chairmanship candidate for Sagamu local government in the 2024 local government election in Ogun State, the party cannot lawfully hand-pick Afolabi Odulate and exclude the plaintiff, Ogunmeno, or other aspirants without conducting a direct, or an indirect, or a consensus nomination primary."

Among others, Ogunmeno sought an order restraining Afolabi Odulate from parading himself as the APC's Chairmanship candidate for Sagamu local government as well as an order directing the APC to withdraw Afolabi Odulate's name from the list of chairmanship candidates it submitted to OGSIEC.

"Within 10 days after service of this summons on each of them, inclusive of the day of such service, defendants must cause an appearance to be entered to this summons for each defendant".