THREE members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State are seeking the disqualification of erstwhile Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, from the governorship race in the state. The applicants, Messrs Michael Babatunde Ogun, Suleiman Saheed and Rotimi Adesuyi Odusanmi, filed the suit at an Ikeja High Court on Friday. Joined as respondents in the suit filed by their counsel, Wahab Shittu, a constitution lawyer and activit, were the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In the originating summons, the applicants were praying the court to disqualify Obanikoro from the party primaries slated for November 22 to 25. They averred that he was ineligible for the election on the grounds of alleged dual citizenship, coupled with alleged discrepancies in his date of birth and name. In the sworn affidavit, they alleged the former minister had not denounced his alleged American citizenship, contrary to Section 182(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with citizenship of Nigeria. They alleged that he also had an issue with his academic certificate, which he presented to the INEC for the April 2007 election. Accordingly, they sought a declaration that Obanikoro stood disqualified from contesting at the primaries, by virue of constitutional provisions and his antecedents. Another injunction being sought by the applicants was an order that the INEC should be barred from accepting the candidacy or nomination of Obanikoro by the PDP for the purpose of contesting the next governorship primaries. The suit is supported by a 35-paragraph affidavit and another 15-paragraph of urgency on the matter. The applicants attached copies of their PDP membership cards and voter cards to the affidavit
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 18:30:51 +0000
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