Usman Ododo, Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, has told Justice Obiora Egwatu, of the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss the suit seeking his disqualification from the race.
Ododo’s counsel M. Y Abdullahi, SAN, said he resigned as stated by the law of Kogi State before joining the race contrary to the allegations in the suit.
The APC candidate told the court which resumed hearing on Wednesday that he broke no law at the time he picked the Expression of Interest form of his party and also at the time he stood for the primary election and won.
Ododo said he submitted his resignation letter on March 8, 2023, which was received by the appropriate body in the office of the State Governor and that same was received the same day.
Citing section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, Ododo said whether his resignation was acknowledged, accepted or not, it started taking effect from the date of submission of the letter.
Ododo said the plaintiff cannot fault his claim of resignation with any evidence, especially with pay slips or salary payments, adding that the plaintiff jumped the gun in the way and manner he instituted the suit.
He, therefore, asked the court to rely on his 19 paragraphs affidavit and dismiss the case of the plaintiff for lacking in merit and for being incompetent and baseless.
The APC, through its counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, adopted the position of the governorship candidate and prayed that the suit be dismissed with substantial cost.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Daniel- Ebune, relied on 16 exhibits in support of the Originating Summons/case, told the court that Ododo contravened sections 20, 21, 124, 147 of the 1999 Constitution and section 159 of the Evidence Act and urged the Judge to invoke the provisions of the law to disqualify the gubernatorial candidate.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, after taking arguments from the lawyers, fixed July 18 to deliver judgment in the matter.
