A stumbling block seems to be hindering the participation of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, which has been set for Thursday, June 25, 2020.
This is coming after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, granted an ex parte order barring the PDP in Edo from allowing Governor Obaseki to take part in the exercise.
The order was given on Monday by Justice Emmanuel Obile after granting the application filed by one of the PDP aspirants in Edo, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who said he would not step down for Governor Obaseki
He also ordered that the parties in the suit should be served through substituted means, in two national dailies.
The judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter until June 24 for the hearing of the summon.
Ogbeide-Ihama had sought an order of interim injunction to retrain members of the PDP, except those who purchased the forms during the stipulated timetable from participating in the primary, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
The defendants in the suit included PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, the party, Governor Obaseki, five other members of the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Responding to the interim injunction on Tuesday, Governor Obaseki noted that opponents of the PDP were already jittery about the overwhelming support the party was receiving from the people.
He said, “The court order was obtained last night. Our opponents outside the party are trying to use fifth columnists within us to replicate the chaos in their party.
“They are worried about the popularity and acceptance of the PDP and our amiable Governor so much so that they have become desperate in their quest to stop a contest they know they will lose.”
Below are photo shots of the Court order.
