Latest update on Xclick24 05-June-2020
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, yesterday, intensified his re-election bid with a move to get his main challenger for the All Progressives Congress, APC, ticket, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, out of the contest via the law court.
This came on a day his Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Paul Ohonbamu, resigned his appointment.
Meanwhile, former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, has advised National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Governor Obaseki to put the interest of the party first as they go into the governorship election in Edo State.
On the accusation that the party’s national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole unilaterally decided the mode of primary election, the party yesterday said that its National Working Committee, NWC, had taken a decision on the matter.
Court adjourns suit seeking to stop Ize-Iyamu to June 17
One of the strategies the Obaseki camp is working on is to get Ize-Iyamu out of the contest on the platform of the APC through the courts.
Meanwhile, journalists who converged on the court premises were yesterday prevented by security operatives from covering the suit, filed by Mr Benjamin Oghumu, a loyalist of the governor and chairman of Orhionmwon Local Government.
Oghumu is seeking an injunction to restrain Ize-Iyamu from parading himself as an aspirant to participate in the state APC primary election fixed for June 22 to select a candidate in the governorship election slated for September 19 because he is not a member of the party.
Members of the Public Work Volunteer, PUWOV, personnel of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency, EDSTMA, and the state special anti-robbery security outfit, Operation Wabaizigan had as early as 6:30 am cordoned off all entry roads to the state high court complex. The move created gridlock in parts of the city.
It took the intervention of the court registrar, Mr Idemudia Aziegbemhin before some journalists were later allowed to enter the court mid-way into the proceedings.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the APC, Oshiomhole, sued for himself and on behalf of the National Working Committee of APC, and Ize-Iyamu.
Pastor Kenneth Asekomhe on behalf of the factional state executive loyal to Governor Obaseki, Mr. Oghumu on behalf of himself and Executive Committee of APC in Orhiomwon local council and Mr Matthew Ogbebor, on behalf of himself and the executive committee of Ugbogbo Wards 5, (all plaintiffs/claimants) in the suit are asking the court for an order, restraining Ize-Iyamu from parading himself as an aspirant entitled to participate in the APC primary election fixed for June 22, 2020, to select a candidate to represent it in the Edo State governorship election fixed for September 19.
The claimants also prayed for an order of the court, restraining Oshiomhole from recognising Ize-Iyamu as an aspirant of the APC in its primary election scheduled for June 22 or any other date to select a candidate to represent it in the Edo State governorship election.
The plaintiffs/claimants, who were represented by Ken Mozia, SAN, and Santos Owootori, sought to know whether Article 31(2) of APC constitution is not in conflict with Section 177(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, as it relates to qualification for election to the office of a governor of a state.
However, an argument ensued when defendants’ lawyers led by H. Ogbodu, SAN, and Victor Oyosuma appeared in the matter, demanded to be served the motion papers and originating summons.
Meanwhile, the trial judge, Justice Emmanuel Ahaomoje declined to grant the ex-parte motion but instead gave the defendants 10 days to file their response while counsel to the plaintiffs/claimants were given two days to reply.
Justice Ahaomoje adjourned the case to June 17, 2020.
Ohonbamu out, Stewart in
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Ohonbamu, announcing his resignation, said: “I hereby tender my letter of resignation as a commissioner in Edo State to His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki this June 4, 2020.
Without setting a precedent, I have decided to step aside as cabinet member and operate outside it for the general good of Edo State and pursuit of happiness for the citizens.
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