Court dismisses Kawonise’s case against Labour Party, INEC

A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta has dismissed a suit filed by Mr. Sina Kawonise, declaring that it lacks juridiction to declare him as the governorship candidate of the  Labour Party (LP) for the April  11 Governorship election in the state.

Kawonise had accused the LP of substituting his name with that of Mr. Abolaji Sunmola as the party’s governorship candidate for the
forthcoming election, alleging that he (Kawonise) was duely confirmed by the party Congress in the State.

But the counsel to the LP, Kayode Akinsola argued that Kawonise lacks locus standing to file the application because he (kawonise) failed to pay his membership due and the party’s governorship nomination form
to contest for the governorship primary of the party.

Akinsola also argued that the court lacks juridiction to hear the suit
on the ground that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not affected in the suit before it.

In her ruling, Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo cited relevant cases by Supreme court, saying it would amount to abuse of court process and “exercise in futility” to hear the case which she said did not affect a Federal government agency.

She however advised Kawonise to take his case to a State High Court
for hearing, declaring, “I hereby strike out this case for lack of juridiction”.

Reacting to the judgment, the State Secretary of LP, Mr. Sunday Oginni hailed the judgment, saying, “The action is democratic”.

Oginni, disclosed, “The ruling has confirmed the legality and constitutionality of the selection of the governorship candidate of
the party, Abolaji Sunmola”.

His words, “The ruling is a victory for electorate in Ogun State and
Nigeria in general”.