Paul Akomolehin, Ado-Ekiti

 

DAILY COURIER – An Ado-Ekiti High Court has restrained Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, from taking action on its five suspended federal legislature candidates in Ekiti State.

 

Justice E. B. Omotosho granted the order while ruling on an exparte motion filed by the five suspended PDP National Assembly candidates.

 

It ordered the party to “maintain status quo”, pending hearing of the substantive suit.

 

Justice Omotosho said copies of the motion on notice be served on the defendants.

 

“Upon the service of the aforesaid processes on the defendants, the parties, in this case, are ordered to maintain status quo pending hearing of the motion on notice,” the order said.

 

The national leadership on January 20 suspended five National Assembly candidates in Ekiti State for alleged misconduct and anti-party activities.

 

They are Lateef Oladimeji, Ekiti Central; Emiola Adenike Jennifer, Ekiti South II; Olayinka James Olalere, Ekiti Central; Akerele Oluyinka, Ekiti North I and Fayose Oluwajomiloju John, Ekiti Central I.

 

The candidates on January 27 filed a motion against PDP, Ayu and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

Prior to their suspension, their names had been submitted to INEC as candidates.

 

The applicants had prayed the court for an order restraining PDP and Ayu from substituting their names.

 

The applicants in their application had sought “an order of interim injunction of this honourable court, restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants from substituting or changing the name of the claimants, whose name have already been submitted to the 3rd defendant as the defendant’s candidates for the National and State Assembly elections, when the claimants have not withdrawn their candidature having regard to Section 3 of the Electoral Act 2022, as well as the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP as amended 2017 and its guidelines pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction before the honourable court.”