Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, affirmed the nomination of Prince Kadiri Asamah (SAN) as the deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Edo State.
The judge in his decision agreed to the argument of the party’s main attorney, Johnson Usman (SAN), who stated that the LP had complied with the provisions of the 2022 Election Law and other provisions in nominating Asamah as its vice presidential candidate.
The LP on February 23 held a gubernatorial primary election in Edo State with Olumide Akpata emerging as the party’s candidate for the September poll in the state.
Akpata then nominated Olayinka Faith Alufohai as his running mate.
However, Alufoha withdrew his candidacy on March 8 and rescinded his written resignation statement in favor of the resignation letter he submitted to the party.
After his resignation, Akpata nominated Asamah as his new vice presidential candidate and his name and personal data were submitted to the National Election Commission (KPU).
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Asamah’s name and details were uploaded to the commission’s portal on April 15.
However, the KPU refused to publish Asamah’s name.
Dissatisfied with the commission’s decision, LP and Akpata in a lawsuit filed by their attorney, Johnson Usman (SAN), urged the court to direct INEC to accept and announce Asamah’s name as their party’s deputy governor candidate in Edo.
In his ruling, Judge Nwite agreed with Usman’s argument that Alufohai, after withdrawing his candidacy, LP had the right to nominate another name as his party’s running mate.
He argued that LP submitted Asamah’s name as a candidate for deputy governor in accordance with the time limit specified in Article 29 paragraph (1), Article 31, Article 32 paragraph (84) of the 2022 Election Law.
Therefore, the judge said the KPU did not have the authority to reject the name.
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