Court Asked To Order PDP To Conduct Fresh Screening For Kogi Constituency Aspirants

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has been asked to compel the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to conduct a fresh screening exercise for aspirants seeking to contest the Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency seat in Kogi State.

The suit was filed by Hon. Buhari Sani Omolori through his counsel, Chris Umar (SAN), who alleged that aspirants were denied fair opportunity during the party’s screening exercise ahead of its primary election.

In court documents dated May 22, 2026, with suit number FHC/LKJ/CD/47/26, the plaintiff raised several questions for determination and sought multiple declaratory and injunctive reliefs against the PDP, its officials, a cleared aspirant, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Omolori argued that the screening exercise conducted on May 13, 2026, violated constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, PDP guidelines, and principles of fair hearing.

He further contended that his exclusion from the process was unlawful, arbitrary, and carried out without any proven infraction or opportunity for appeal as provided under party guidelines.

The plaintiff is asking the court to declare the screening exercise null and void, and to set it aside for alleged violations of due process and fair hearing rights.

He is also seeking an order directing the PDP to conduct a fresh screening exercise where all aspirants would be given equal and fair opportunity to participate in accordance with the law and party rules.

Additionally, the suit seeks an order restraining INEC from enforcing deadlines for the submission of candidates’ names for the constituency pending the conclusion of a fresh screening and primary process.

Omolori alleged in his affidavit that the screening process was poorly communicated, with uncertainty over the venue and eventual conduct of the exercise in Lokoja on the scheduled date.

He also claimed that despite party guidelines stipulating the release of results the following day, the outcome of the screening was neither published nor communicated to him.

According to him, efforts to obtain clarification from party officials were unsuccessful, as responses received did not provide clear information regarding the outcome of the exercise.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.