A front-line politician and the only female presidential aspirant who vied for the ticket of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the June 5, 2022 presidential primary election, Madam Patience Ndidi Key, has dragged the party and its presidential candidate and son of late MKO Abiola, Kola Abiola, before a Federal High Court, Abuja over the presidential ticket of the party.
In the suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1001/2022, in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was joined as the 3rd Defendant, the Plaintiff is challenging the nomination of Kola Abiola as the presidential candidate of the PRO, and is praying the court to restrain Kola Abiola from parading himself as the party’s presidential candidate in the forthcoming election on the grounds that the conduct of the June 5, 2022 presidential primary election of the PRP, which purportedly produced him was fraught with irregularities.
Ndidi said the subsequent declaration and nomination of Kola Abiola to INEC as the party’s presidential candidate was done in clear breach of sections 84 (5) (a) (i) and (ii) of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Guidelines for the conduct of party primaries, People’s Redemption Party Constitution, Guidelines and other extant laws.
The case which came up on the 2nd of August, 2022 for mention could not go on as the court did not sit because the Judge, Hon. Justice A.R. Mohammed of Court No. 3 was said to be away on official duties.
The People’s Redemption Party who is the 1st Defendant was represented in court by its National Legal Adviser while Kola Abiola and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who are the 2nd and 3rd Defendants respectively were both unrepresented.
The case has therefore been adjourned to the 16th of August, 2022 for mention.
According to the Counsel to the Plaintiff, Ibrahim Audu Esq, the Plaintiff, Madam Patience Ndidi expresses hope and confidence that justice will be done by the court and that all reliefs sought will be granted.
