The nomination of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and his deputy governor, Benedict Alabi, has been declared invalid by the Federal High Court in Abuja on the grounds that Governor Mai Mala Buni’s submission of their names to INEC violated Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
The nomination and sponsorship of Governor Oyetola and his deputy as the properly nominated candidates of the All Progressives Congress were contested in court on April 7, 2022, by Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN) (APC).
Governor Isiaka Oyetola’s counsel, Mr. Kunle Adegoke (SAN), contested the suit’s competence on a number of grounds, including that the plaintiff lacked jurisdiction to file the lawsuit and that it was time-barred.
Ogunwumiju, who was joined by Muyiwa Atoyebi SAN and Ademola Abimbola, made the counterargument that the Plaintiff had lawfully filed the lawsuit in accordance with Section 285(14)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. (as amended).
In his ruling, Justice Emeka Nwite concurred with the plaintiff’s attorney’s arguments and declared the APC’s nomination of Governor Oyetola and Benedict Alabi as null and void.
The court further ruled that when Governor Mai Mala Buni simultaneously held the posts of Governor of Yobe State and Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the APC, he violated the provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution.
The court ruled that Governor Mai Mala Buni’s actions, including sending the names of Governor Oyetola and Deputy Governor Alabi to INEC, constituted a nullity in law.
Gov. Oyetola’s counsel, Adegoke, said an appeal would be filed to test the ruling.