Usman Ododo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming governorship election in Kogi State on November 11, 2023, has filed a request with a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit seeking his disqualification from the race.
Represented by his lawyer, Musa Abdullahi, SAN, Ododo argued before the Court that he resigned from his position in Kogi State in accordance with the law and, therefore, meets the necessary qualifications for the upcoming election, contrary to the allegations made in the lawsuit.
During the hearing on Wednesday, the APC candidate maintained that he did not violate any laws when he obtained the Expression of Interest form from his party or when he participated in and won the primary election.
According to the governorship flagbearer, he submitted his resignation letter on March 8, 2023, through the office of the State Governor, and it was duly received by the appropriate body on the same day. He referred the Court to section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing that his resignation took effect from the date of letter submission, regardless of whether it was acknowledged or accepted.
Ododo pointed out that the plaintiff in the lawsuit failed to provide any documentary evidence, such as pay slips or salary payments, to contradict his claim of resignation.
Furthermore, the APC Governorship candidate argued that the plaintiff prematurely filed the suit before the cause of action had even arisen, and therefore requested the Court to consider his affidavit containing 19 paragraphs and dismiss the baseless, meritless, and incompetent case brought by the plaintiff.
The APC, through its counsel Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, supported the position of the governorship candidate and prayed for the suit to be dismissed with substantial costs.
During Wednesday’s proceedings before Justice Obiora Egwatu, the plaintiff’s counsel, Daniel-Ebune, presented 16 exhibits in support of the Originating Summons/case.
He insisted that Ododo violated sections 20, 21, 124, 147 of the 1999 Constitution and section 159 of the Evidence Act, urging the Judge to apply the provisions of the law and disqualify the gubernatorial candidate.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, after hearing arguments from both parties, scheduled July 18 as the date to deliver judgment on the matter.