Court to hear Makinde’s eligibility as Oyo SDP guber candidate March 9

A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan yesterday began sitting on the eligibility of Seyi Makinde to stand as the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State for the April 11 elections.
In the case before Justice Ayo Emmanuel filed by two SDP members, Olugbenga Bayode and Rasaq Adegboyega, the court was asked to determine “whether Makinde is the right governorship candidate for the party”. They had sued Makinde, SDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first, second and third defendants respectively.
The plaintiffs, in their claims filed by their counsel, Mr. Adenle Adeloye, claimed that “Makinde is not a proper and fit candidate for the governorship race in Oyo State on the platform of SDP”, while seeking for an injunction restraining him from parading himself or taking any steps as governorship candidate of SDP.
They also sought an order compelling INEC not to recognise or do anything capable of accepting or treating Makinde as the SDP governorship candidate.
At the proceedings on Tuesday, Makinde’s counsel, Mr. Yaqub Fadare, told the court that the defence had filed necessary documents asking the court to dismiss the suit. But the defence team, he stated, had not filed statement of objection.
Counsel to SDP, Mr. Idowu Oyeleke, prayed that the court should strike out the case, adding that the defence team for the party had filed notice of preliminary objection, written address, statement of defence and other necessary documents.
INEC’s counsel, Mr. Omoniyi Fayanju, told the court that the screening of all the candidates were done at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, saying he would connect with the legal department in Abuja for necessary documents.
Adeloye, however, urged the court to entertain the matter speedily in view of the exigency of time.
Justice Emmanuel, therefore, adjourned the case till March 9 for hearing.