The Federal High Court, Abuja, has officially confirmed Usman Ododo as the legitimate candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi state, set to take place on November 11, 2023.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in delivering the court’s verdict, dismissed the suit initiated by Abubakar Achimugu, an APC governorship aspirant.
In the court’s decision, Justice Obiora Egwuatu noted the availability of compelling evidence establishing Usman Ododo’s lawful resignation from the position of Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi state before engaging in the APC primary.
Usman Ododo, previously holding the position of Auditor General of Local Government in Kogi state, was declared the winner of the party’s primary conducted in the state on April 14.
Seeking redress for the election’s outcome, the plaintiff brought the matter to court, arguing that the APC candidate, Usman Ododo, had not validly resigned from his employment with the Kogi State Public Service 30 days before participating in the election.
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In the case presented to the court, Achimugu claimed that Ododo’s failure to resign within the statutorily stipulated period amounted to a violation of Section 182 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022, as well as Article 7 of the APC’s Constitution.
During the court proceedings, the plaintiff made a specific request for the court to declare that the 2nd and 3rd defendants were not qualified or eligible during the concluded primary election on April 14, 2023, and when the results were announced on April 15.
Furthermore, the plaintiff sought a declaration that their purported nomination was unconstitutional and that they were ineligible to carry the flag of the APC as its governorship candidate for the Kogi State governorship election to be held on November 11, 2023.
Furthermore, the plaintiff sought the court’s order to nullify and set aside the screening and participation of the 2nd and 3rd defendants in the April 14 gubernatorial primary election for the nomination of the APC candidate.
The plaintiff argued that their involvement was in violation of Section 182 of the Constitution, Section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022, and Article 7 of the APC Constitution.
Justice Egwuatu’s verdict was grounded on the undeniable proof that Ododo had properly and legitimately resigned from his former job, thus satisfying the constitutional and electoral prerequisites for candidacy.
The exhibits presented during the proceedings convincingly supported the fact that Ododo had formally submitted his resignation letter, which was received by the relevant authorities on March 8.
The court categorically stated that the defendant’s resignation became valid and enforceable immediately upon the receipt of his resignation letter by the Kogi State Government.