A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, has dismissed three different cases filed against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Dapo Abiodun, challenging the victory of the state governor at the party’s primary conducted on May 26, 2022.

The trial judge, Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik, while dismissing the cases for various reasons, ranging from lack of locus standi to sue, lack of jurisdiction, incompetence, frivolity, an academic exercise and being statute-barred, also awarded a “joint cost” of N2 million against the litigants and in favour of APC and its candidate in each of the three cases.

The court added that the parties had an obligation to exhaust internal remedies but failed to do so.

It said that instead of submitting complaints to their wards and working those complaints up the ladder of the party’s dispute resolution structure, they rushed to court and filed cases that pertain to matters that are not justiciable, being internal affairs of APC.

The court reminded the litigants that APC is a voluntary organisation and that the will of the majority will prevail in the party.

IN another development, Abiodun has charged the 20 national honour awardees from the state to help attract more investments to the state.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, Abiodun said the awardees had enormous clout to attract more private participation in the industrial development of the state.

The governor, who gave the charge during a reception organised for the awardees, said that their respective awards had proven that the state is a haven for great men and women that are capable of great innovations and achievements in all fields of human endeavours.

He further noted that the conferment was a further call on them to give more in terms of service than they have ever done to the people and the state.

The state helmsman also noted that the administration had formulated new investment-friendly policies directed at creating an enabling environment for investment.

ALSO speaking at the event, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, congratulated the awardees, charging them to always remain good ambassadors of Ogun State.

RESPONDING on behalf of the awardees, the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, who is also the Chairman, Ogun State Council of Obas, appreciated President Buhari for the honours, saying that they would continue to add more value to the country.