A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday began its sitting on the eligibility of Seyi Makinde to stand as the Social Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in the forthcoming election in the state.

The case marked, FHC/IB/CS/9/201, was presided over by Justice Ayo Emmanuel and was filed by Messrs Olugbenga Bayode and Rasaq Adegboyega, who claimed to be the SDP members.

Makinde, a former aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, left the party in December to join the SDP and was offered the party’s governorship ticket upon entry.

In the statement of claims, the plaintiffs explained that the SDP held its primaries on December 6, 2014 and chose its candidates to various elective positions, adding that Mr. Aworinde Samson emerged as the governorship candidate of the party.

The plaintiffs also claimed that the list of candidates was forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission on December 10, which was acknowledged the following day, while Makinde was reportedly declared as the governorship candidate of the party on December 15.

SDP and INEC are joined as co-defendants in the suit.

The plaintiffs are claiming through their counsel, Mr. Adenle Adeloye, that Makinde is not the right candidate for the governorship race in Oyo State on the platform of the SDP.

They are also seeking an injunction that will restrain Makinde from parading himself or taking any step as governorship candidate of SDP, and an order that will compel INEC not to recognise or do anything accepting or treating Makinde as the gubernatorial candidate of the SDP.

Counsel to Makinde, Mr. Yaqub Fadare, told the court that the defence had filed necessary documents asking the court to dismiss the suit.

He said that the defence team had not filed a statement of objection to the demand.

Counsel to the SDP, Mr. Idowu Oyeleke, prayed the court to strike out the case, adding that “The defence team for the party has filed notice of preliminary objection, statement of defence and other necessary documents.”

Omoniyi Fayanju, who is counsel to INEC in the suit, told the court that the screening of all the candidates was done at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, saying he would connect with the legal department in Abuja for necessary documents to be filed.

But the plaintiffs’ counsel, Adeloye, said time was of essence in the case and enjoined the court not to entertain any delay tactics.

The presiding judge, Emmanuel, however, adjourned the case till March 9, 2015 for further hearing.

Source: PUNCH