By Davies Iheamnachor, Port Harcourt:

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has stopped the Governor of Edo State from taking part in the gubernatorial primary election of the People’s Democratic Party, rescheduled to hold on Thursday, 25th June, 2020.

The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising Obaseki as a candidate in the primary election of the party.

This was following a suit brought before the court with number Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/69/2020 on Monday by one of the governorship aspirants of the PDP, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who had vowed not to step down for Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The defendants in the suit are: Prince Uche Secondus, Emmanuel Ogidi, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Chief Debekeme Boyleyefa, Senator James Manager, Hon. Barr. Ajibola Muraina, People Democratic Party, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

He also prayed among others an order of interim injunction restricting the 9, INEC, Defendant from further recognising the 8 defendants, Obaseki, as candidate of the party’s primary, pending the determination of the suit.

However, Hon. Justice E.A Obile, in the orders, also granted to the applicant an order for substituted means of Service on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 defendants by serving the Originating Summons and other Court Processes in this suit on the said Defendants through publication in two (2) National Dallies (Newspapers) Or by serving the Originating Processes and other Court Processes in this suit at the respect addresses at the various Defendants as reflected on the Originating Summons.

Obile also granted an order for accelerated on the matter and adjourned till 24th June, for hearing of motion on notice.

-Vanguard