The fate of Ahmed Usman Ododo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Kogi State Governorship election, hangs in the balance as a new legal battle seeks to disqualify him from the race.
On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja reserved judgment on a fresh appeal brought by Abubakar Achimugu, a governorship aspirant of the APC, against a Federal High Court judgment affirming Ahmed Ododo as the APC flagbearer for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi state.
A three-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Muhammed Lawal Shuaibu, will announce the judgment date after parties have presented their written arguments.
The appeal challenges the July 18 judgment by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which allowed Ahmed Ododo to remain the APC’s candidate in the governorship election.
Justice Shuaib postponed the judgment delivery and will communicate the parties when the verdict is ready.
Achimugu had initially approached the high court with a suit to disqualify Ododo from the governorship race, claiming he didn’t resign from the Kogi State public service 30 days before the primary election. The suit was dismissed for lack of merit.
Unsatisfied, Achimugu filed an appeal, asserting that Justice Egwuatu erred in law by allowing Ododo and another candidate, Salami Deedat, to participate in the primary election.
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Achimugu contended that the trial court misunderstood evidence regarding the resignation letters and incorrectly dismissed his arguments about the timing of lodging the letters with the APC.
Achimugu further argued that the trial court misapplied constitutional provisions and relevant case law, leading to an erroneous dismissal of his suit. He seeks to set aside the trial court’s judgment and obtain the reliefs stated in his amended originating summons.
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