There have been controversies surrounding the order of the Federal High Court Rivers State over the Primary Election of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the governorship election of Edo State slated for Thursday 25th June, 2020. TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) reports

An investigation by TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) shows that there were two orders granted by the court. One restrained PDP from allowing the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, from participating in its governorship primary election slated for Thursday while the other ordered for accelerated hearing of the Motion.

One of the PDP governorship aspirants, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, filed the suit on Monday along with two Motions after vowing not to step down for Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The suit was filed against the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, as the first defendant. Others (as defendants) are Emmanuel Ogidi, Kingsley Chinda, Debekeme, James Manager, Ajibola Muraina, the PDP, Obaseki and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as second to ninth defendants respectively.

The court, presided over by Justice E. A. Obile, after considering the Affidavit in support of the Motions and the arguments of Mr. Donald Denwigwe (SAN) and Chief F. Orbih, SAN, granted all the reliefs.

It held as follows:

“THAT ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION is granted retraining 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Defendants from allowing the 8th Defendant or any member or non-member of the party other than those that have purchased forms and were screened within the time stated in the said timetable to contest the 7th Defendant’s Primary Election rescheduled to hold on 25th June, for the purpose of nominating or electing its candidate for the year 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory Injunction.

“THAT ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION is granted restraining the 9th Defendant from further recognizing and or accepting the name of the 8th Defendant or any other person (member or non-member of the 7th Defendant) as a candidate of the 7th Defendant other than the name of the Plaintiff/Applicant or that of other aspirants who have already purchased Nomination Forms and were screened within the time stipulated by the 7th Defendant’s timetable for the Nomination Process for the for the 2020 Governorship Election in Edo State pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory Injunction”. DOWNLOAD 1

The court also granted order for substituted service of the processes and accelerated hearing of the matter. DOWNLOAD 2

The matter was adjourned till 24th of June, the eve of the primary election, for the hearing of the motion on Notice.