The Federal High Court Abuja has begun the hearing of the case suit filed by Dr. Nath Adojutelegan challenging the validity of the bye-elections which produced Rotimi Akeredolu as Governor of Ondo State in October 2020. Justice Okon Abang the presiding judge over the case has fixed the judgment for Friday which will be the concluding phase.
Although the judge planned to conclude the hearing on Tuesday, he was unable to due to the non-service of counter-affidavit filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on other parties to the suit. As a result, the Justice Abang asked that the representing lawyer for INEC, Abdulaziz Sani to ensure the service of the counter-affidavit on the other parties within 48 hours. He also informed the lawyers representing the other parties that they could reply to the counter-affidavit should they wish.
Adojutelegan filed the suit on August 3, 2020, along with others who lost the All Progressives Congress primary election to Akerodolu. He was dissatisfied with the outcome of the primary election and alleged that the exercise was marred by a grave and substantial noncompliance with the spirit and purpose of the APC’s constitution, Electoral Guidelines and Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which he claimed affected the outcome of the primaries to a large extent.
Adojutelegan urged the court to make an order nullifying the nomination of Akeredolu as the party’s candidate in the October 10, 2020 governorship election held in Ondo State. He also asked the court to stop Akeredolu from gaining from his alleged wrongs regarding the governorship primary election, and for an order nullifying the exercise, and order a fresh primary which the governor should not be allowed to participate in.
