The Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, has thrown out Kenneth Imasuagbon’s case against the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata. The ruling, delivered by Justice Babatunde Quadri, labeled the lawsuit as baseless and speculative, essentially telling Imasuagbon to take his grievances elsewhere.
What They Are saying
Imasuagbon, seemingly grasping at straws, had contested Akpata’s candidacy for the upcoming 2024 governorship election. His primary argument? That Akpata didn’t sign the indemnity form. However, the court swiftly dismissed this claim as statute-barred. Apparently, Imasuagbon missed the memo on following the Labour Party’s internal dispute resolution processes before running to court.
Justice Quadri didn’t mince words, stating, “This court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit. It lacks merit and is based on speculation.” Ouch. To add salt to the wound, the court pointed out that Imasuagbon’s failure to exhaust internal party mechanisms essentially stripped the court of its jurisdiction.
Imasuagbon’s litany of complaints also included allegations of electoral misconduct during the Labour Party primaries, including over-voting—claims that were likewise brushed off by the court.
Why It Matters
This ruling means Olumide Akpata remains firmly in the running for the governorship, a decision sure to ruffle feathers within the Labour Party and beyond. Akpata, declared the winner of the Labour Party primaries conducted by the Julius Abure faction, can now focus on the upcoming election without this legal distraction.
For those keeping score, the Lamidi Apapa faction had thrown their support behind Anderson Asemota and Monday Mawah as their preferred candidates, but that’s now a moot point following this ruling.
In essence, this court decision not only reinforces Olumide Akpata’s candidacy but also sends a clear message about the importance of following due process. Imasuagbon’s case serves as a reminder that speculative lawsuits without substantial evidence are unlikely to gain traction in the court of law.
Bottom Line
With Akpata’s candidacy upheld, the stage is set for a fierce battle in the 2024 Edo State governorship election. One can only wonder what Imasuagbon’s next move will be—perhaps it’s time for some introspection and a review of strategy.
