New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate in the November 16 Ondo State governorship election, Olugbenga Edema, has sought the intervention of the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the nomination and the publication of the names of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his deputy as candidates.
 
In Kano State, Sen Abdulrahman Sumaila (NNPP, Kano South) threatened to sue the party chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, for alleged defamation of his character.  
 
Edema wants the Federal High Court to interpret Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as it relates to the nomination of the APC candidates. 
 
The originating summons, with suit no FHC/AK/CS/103/2024 filed through his counsel, Abayomi Ojo, reads: “Let INEC, APC, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and Olayide Owolabi Adelami, within seven days after service of this summons on them, inclusive of the day of such service, cause an appearance to be entered for them to this summons, which was issued upon the application of Edema and NNPP, who are interested in the interpretation and application of Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, Sections 82 (1)(5); 84 (1)(2)(4a,b)(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the Time Table and Schedule of Activities issued by INEC for the Ondo State 2024 governorship election as well as other relevant laws and constitutional provisions.
 
“Whether the 1st respondent is not bound or obligated to adhere to the clear and mandatory provisions Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Sections 82 (1)(5); 84 (1)(2)(4a,b)(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022, in determining which political party should be included in the list of political parties for election in the Ondo gubernatorial election coming up on November 16, 2024.”
 
“Take notice that in the event of the above questions being answered in favour of the plaintiffs, the plaintiffs shall seek the following reliefs: A declaration that by the combined provisions of Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution and Sections 82(1)(5); 84 (1)(2)(4a,b)(13) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the publication and continuous publication of the 3rd and 4th defendants’ names by the 1st defendant as the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the 2nd defendant for the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial election coming up on November 16, 2024 is unconstitutional, arbitrary, invalid, and illegal and therefore null and void.”

The NNPP senator accused the party chairman of bringing his personality under disrepute with allegations of corrupt practices, election rigging, and political backstabbing while granting a radio interview.  
 
In a letter addressed to the NNPC chairman, counsel to the senator, Sunusi Musa (SAN), issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the NNPP chairman to retract the statement.  
 
“We are, therefore, by this letter demanding you, on behalf of our client, to, within 24 hours of receipt of this letter, retract the allegation in the same manner you made it. A public apology to our client in two national dailies must be made. If you fail to accede to our demand within the stipulated time, our client will be compelled to seek legal redress in a court of law,” the letter reads.  
 
According to the letter, the NNPP senator claimed that Dungurawa accused him of diverting public funds meant for water and the construction of a town hall stadium in Sumaila Local Council.