NNPP Denies Authorization of Legal Action
In a surprising turn of events at the Federal High Court in Akure, the Ondo State chapter of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) declared that they had not authorized the legal challenge against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, both from the All Progressives Congress (APC). This clarification came in the form of a letter from the NNPP’s National Legal Adviser, Robert Hon, which was presented in court on Wednesday. The letter explicitly asked for the party’s name to be removed from the lawsuit.
Candidate Sought Court Intervention
Olugbenga Edema, NNPP’s gubernatorial candidate, had initiated the lawsuit aiming to have the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revoke the candidacy of Aiyedatiwa and Adelami. His legal action also included a request for judicial interpretation regarding the nomination process under Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution.
Legal Counsels Challenge Suit’s Validity
The defense, comprising lawyers like Dr. Remi Olatubora SAN, Kola Olawoye SAN, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, and others, contested the lawsuit’s legitimacy, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the plaintiffs did not have the legal standing to proceed. Adegboruwa, representing Governor Aiyedatiwa, highlighted the NNPP’s letter to substantiate their request for dismissal of the case.
Party’s Formal Withdrawal from Suit
The letter from the NNPP’s legal adviser, dated December 10, 2024, was titled “Letter of Instructions” and instructed the court to remove NNPP’s name from the suit, asserting that the party had not given consent for such legal action to be taken in its name.
Request for Case Adjournment
In response to the new developments, Edema’s lawyer, Abayomi Ojo, admitted ignorance of the letter and requested additional time to review its contents. He asked for an adjournment to prepare a response, which the presiding judge, Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, granted. The court has up to five months to deal with the case, with the next hearing scheduled for February 3, 2025.
