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Following the outcome of a judgement at the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on Thursday over missing of his name from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited lists for the 2023 general elections, the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole has vowed to seek redress in the Appeal Court.
Justice Peter H. Mallong in his Thursday ruling had dismissed Kolawole’s suit, seeking to be recognized by INEC as the House of Representatives candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Constituency.
The electoral body is allowed to set a deadline for all of its activities, according to Justice Mallong, who also emphasized that once the deadline has gone, the court cannot order the umpire to extend it.
Because his lawsuit lacked the authority to force the electoral umpire to accept Kolawole’s candidacy after the allotted time had passed, the judge dismissed it.
However, the APC leader pledged to appeal to a higher court, saying he had complete faith and confidence in the legal system to uphold justice in the appellate court.
The Speaker instructed his legal team to file an appeal against the ruling in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Femi Olugbemi, and he urged his fans and party members to maintain composure and follow the law.
The suit, filed to compel INEC to upload and publish his particulars as the duly elected candidate of the APC for Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in year 2023 general elections, has suit number FHC/LKJ/CS/35/2022. “Arrangements are being put in place to approach the Court of Appeal to review the decision of the lower court in accordance with current laws,” the statement read.
The fact that Kolawole won the party primary poll, which was held on May 27, 2022 in Kabba, the constituency headquarters and was duly observed by INEC officials and security agencies, was undeniably established, Kolawole continued.
The Speaker requested a court order to instruct the APC and Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to upload his information as the duly elected candidate of the ruling APC in the primary election held on May 27, 2022, in Kabba. The lawsuit was filed under the case number FHC/LKJ/CS/35/2022.
He claimed that because he received the most valid votes, he was subsequently nominated to represent the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the upcoming general elections in 2023. This nomination was approved by the party’s National Working Committee.
Segun Okobatoke, a fellow participant, filed a lawsuit asking the court to recognize him as the party’s candidate in the aforementioned primary election, but Justice Mallong denied it.
Content created and supplied by: Lukundu (via Opera
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