A federal High Court in Benin on Monday reserved ruling to determine the mode of primary that was adopted by the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the nomination of the Governorship Candidate of the party, to June 11.

In a suit number FHC/B/CS/48/2020, the factional state deputy chairman of the party, Kenneth Asekomhe, and one of the governorship aspirants of the party, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen are challenging the decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC)  to adopt direct primary election for the nomination of its governorship Candidate.

The defendants in the suit are APC, Adams Oshiomhole, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police.

The plaintiffs had earlier filed an ex parte motion restraining the party from adopting the direct mode of primary.

They also prayed the court restrain INEC from monitoring the primaries, and the Police from giving effect to the NWC’s direct primaries mode.

At resumed hearing on Monday, Counsel to the plaintiffs, Ken Mozia (SAN), told the court that several processes were filed and arguments on the ex parte application for injunction had commenced.

He asked the defendants were ordered to show cause why the injunction should not be granted.

Counsel to the first defendant, H.O Ogbodu (SAN), however raised objection to the court’s jurisdiction at this stage, insisting that it was an internal party issue.

He argued that, “we were ordered to show cause for the application for an injunction by way of ex parte, and we have done that. The court has given time to exchange all our processes and then give judgement”.

The application of three aspirants in the election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Pius Odubu and Osaro Obazee seeking to join the suit as the fifth, sixth and seventh defendants, however did not sail through

The motion on application notice was set aside by the court which insisted that it wasn’t right

Justice Mohammed Umar in his ruling on the matter ordered  all parties exchange processes and  should not proceed on the issue within two days until when hearing is determined.

He adjourned hearing on all matters in the suit to Thursday, June 11

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