A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has failed to uphold the prayer of Kogi Speaker, Matthew Kolawole seeking to be recogniz as the candidate of the All Progressive Congress for the Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal constituency in next year election.
Kolawole name was missing when the electoral umpire released the list of candidates of each parties after the primary elections.
APC had expressed that the ommision of Kolawole and 21 others across the country was due to ‘error of ommision’ from the consultant given the job to upload candidate name to INEC portal.
Kolawole in his suit: FHC/LKJ/CS/35 / 2022 seek the Order of Court directing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to upload his particulars as the duly elected candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the primary election held on the 27th May, 2022 having scored the highest valid vote thereupon nominated as approved by the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress for Kabba-Bun/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the forthcoming general elections in 2023.
The suit also joined the APC.
Hon. Justice Peter H. Mallong in his ruling on Thursday said the electoral umpire is entitled to set timeline for all his activities.
Justice Mallong said once the timeline is passed, the court cannot force INEC to extend the date; as such is the discretion of the electoral body.
The judge ruled that the court cannot compelled INEC to open its portal and accept Kolawole’s candidacy.
However, the judge also throw away the suit by fellow aspirant, Segun Olobatoke seeking the court to recognized him as the party candidate despite coming second at the primary.
