Osun: Again, PDP members sue Adeleke over alleged fake certificate

Another three members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun
State have again dragged the party's candidate in the September 22
gubernatorial election, Ademola Adeleke, to court over his
certificate.

The plaintiffs sought Adeleke's disqualification from the September 22
governorship election for allegedly submitting fake certificates to
get the PDP ticket.

Two PDP members, Rasheed Olabayo and Idowu Oluwaseun, had earlier
approached the court to disqualify Senator Adeleke over the allegation
that he did not possess necessary certificate and urged the court to
restrain PDP from presenting him to the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) as the candidate of the party.

But, on August 8, Justice David Oladimeji, in his judgement, cleared
Adeleke to contest the September 22 governorship election.

However, a fresh suit was filed by Awoosiyan Olalekan, Ojejade Thomas
and Awodire Sina before Federal High Court, Osogbo, against Adeleke,
PDP and INEC.

The plaintiffs, in an originating summon dated October 30, 2018,
through their counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, said that the
participation of Adeleke at, and his return as the winner of the
governorship primary conducted by the PDP on the 21st of July, 2018
for the purpose of him being the candidate of the party and his
subsequent participation in the governorship election of the 22nd of
September, 2018 as the party's candidate, was null and void because he
presented false information to the electoral commission.

They also told the court that all votes allocated to the Adeleke at,
and his return as the winner of the primary election, which led to his
nomination and the subsequent participation of Adeleke in the
governorship election as the PDP candidate should be voided on account
of ineligibility, false information and submission of false documents.

They urged the court to determine whether Adeleke should not have been
disqualified from flying the flag of PDP on account of ineligibility,
false information and submission of false documents he allegedly
presented to INEC.

Other prayers of the plaintiffs were: "An order of court directing the
3rd Defendant (INEC) to strike out and/or delete the name of the 1st
Defendant (Adeleke) as the candidate presented to the 3rd Defendant
having not met the constitutional requirement for his qualification
and eligibility to contest or participate as a Governorship candidate
in the Osun State Governorship Election held on the 22nd of September,
2018."

"An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant
(Adeleke) from parading himself or holding himself out in any manner
or guise whatsoever as the nominated governorship candidate of the 2nd
Defendant for the Osun State Governorship Election held on the 22nd of
September, 2018."

"An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 3rd Defendant (INEC)
from dealing with or continuing to deal with or otherwise recognize
the 1st Defendant as the validly nominated candidate of the 2nd
Defendant (PDP) for the Osun State Governorship Election, 2018."

"An order replacing the name of the 1st Defendant (Adeleke) with the
name of Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, the 1st runner up at the said primary
election conducted by the 2nd Defendant on the 21st of July, 2018, as
the winner of the said primary election and thereby the candidate of
the 2nd Defendant for the purpose of the Osun State Governorship
election held on the 22nd of September, 2018 in compliance with the
Constitution of the 2nd Defendant (PDP)) and its electoral guideline."

"An order declaring the 1st runner up, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi at the said
primary election conducted by the 2nd Defendant (PDP) on the 21st of
July, 2018, as the winner of the said primary election, thereby the
candidate of the 2nd Defendant (PDP) for the purpose of the Osun State
Governorship election held on the 22nd of September, 2018 having won
the highest of lawful votes cast by delegates at the said primary
election and in compliance with the Constitution of the 2nd Defendant
and its electoral guideline."

The respondents have twenty-one days to respond to the relief sought
by the plaintiffs