A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the nomination of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and his Deputy Governorship candidate, Benedict Alabi as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate in the Osun July 16th gubernatorial election.
The court ruled that the submission of their names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Governor Mai Mala Buni, violated the provision of the Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 82 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
A senior lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), had in a suit with No: FHC/ABJ/CS/468/2022 between the PDP v Governor Mai Mala Buni & 4 Ors challenged the nomination and sponsorship of Oyetola and his deputy as the duly nominated candidates of the ruling party.
The presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite in his judgement sided with the submissions of the Plaintiff’s counsel and ruled as null and void, the nomination of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and Benedict Alabi by the APC.
The court also held that Governor Buni violated the provision of Section 183 of the Constitution, when he held dual executive positions as the Governor of Yobe State and the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of APC.
The Court held that all actions taken by Governor Buni, including submitting the names of Governor Oyetola and his Deputy to INEC, amounted to a nullity in law.