Kogi Constituency: Disqualified PDP Aspirant Seeks Fresh Screening

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has been urged to order a fresh screening under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the purpose of primary election into Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency of Kogi State.

The plaintiff, Hon. Buhari Sani Omolori, through his counsel, Chris Umar (SAN), said the aspirants were not given fair opportunities to participate in the exercise.

In the court process dated May 22, 2026, with suit number FHC/LKJ/CD/47/26, the plaintiff raised seven questions for determination and six declarative reliefs.

Apart from the PDP, also joined as respondents in the suit are Hon. Muhammed Etudaiye (candidate cleared by the party) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He prayed the court to determine the. Following: Whether by the combined reading of Sections 65 and 66 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended; Section 85 of the Electoral Act, 2026; the PDP’s Constitution, INEC Guidelines as well as the PDP Party’s Primary Guidelines, the applicant was lawfully, legally and validly disqualified/excluded by the Kogi State PDP’s National Assembly screening committee.

Whether the exercise conducted and held by the screening committee on 13th May, 2026, disqualifying the applicant without any infraction or breach of any known law, rule or regulation, is in compliance with the party guidelines and the Electoral Act 2026.

Whether the disqualification of the Applicant by the committee without any proof of established infraction against the party’s guideline, late publication of the result, and without making adequate provision for him to exercise his right of Appeal as provided for in the party’s guideline is not a violation of his right to fair hearing as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He also prayed the court to make the following declaration that National Assembly Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency Screening exercise conducted by the 1st and 2nd Respondents on the 13th of May 2026 being in violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended, the electoral Act and party guidelines is ultra vires null and void.

A declaration that the exclusion of the applicant from participating in the Kogi State PDP National Assembly Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency Primaries by disqualifying him during the screening exercise without lawful cause is null, void and of no effect ab initio.

A declaration that failure of the Screening Committee to inform the Applicant of the outcome/result of the screening exercise he participated in which was conducted on the 13 of May 2026 which result ought to have been out by 14th of May 2026 is a breach of his of his right.

The plaintiff sought the order of the court setting aside the purported National Assembly Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency Screening exercise conducted by the 1st and 2nd Respondent on the 13th of May 2026 for gross violation of the constitution, the electoral Act and party guidelines.

He also sought an order of the court directing the 1st and 2nd respondents to conduct a fresh screening exercise for the National Assembly Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency where all Aspirants will be afforded fair opportunity in accordance with the Law and Guidelines.

He prayed the court for an order directing the 4th respondent (INEC) to suspend the enforcement of its timelines for submission of candidates’ names with respect to the National Assembly Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency pending the final conduct of the Screening/Primaries of the 18th respondent arising from this matter.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the matter.