By Our Reporter
A Federal high court sitting in Lagos has ordered that, all court processes in the suit filed by a Lagos law maker Hakeem Bello challenging the candidacy of Wale Rauf as the candidate of All Progressive Congress APC in the upcoming state house of Assembly elections in Lagos state should be served on all the defendants.
Thereafter, the presiding judge Justice Ayotunde Faji adjourned till 7th of March 2019 for definite hearing of the suit.
Apart from Wale Rauf others joined as co-respondents are Independent Electoral commission INEC and All Progressive Congress APC.
In an affidavit sworn to by Bello and filed before the court by a Lagos lawyer Barrister Wahab Shittu, the law maker averred that Rauf contested the primaries in respect of Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2 Lagos State with him and others and lost the primary election to him.
Following his victory at the primary elections, his name was published by All Progressive Congress as the candidate of the Party in respect of Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2 Lagos State.
Bello averred further that in spite of the result of the Primary election which he won Rauf’s name was wrongly forwarded to Independent Electoral commission as the candidate of APC.
Upon his protest of this development and after consultations with the Lagos State Stakeholders of APC, Rauf in a letter dated 30th November, 2018.addressed to the National Chairman of INEC voluntarily withdrew his candidacy.
Aftermath of Rauf ‘s withdrawal letter, he formally requested INEC to substitute the name of WaLe Rauf with his own as the candidate of APC.
However following the refusal of INEC to give effect to Wale Rauf ‘s letter,APC by a further letter dated 3rd December, 2018 signed by Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomole re-affirming his name and choice as the authentic candidate of APC within 45 days limited by the Electoral Act for the substitution as lawful candidates of APC should be effected, but INEC willfully refused to substitute the name of Wale Rauf with his name as the candidate of APC
In view of the aforementioned scenario, Mr Hakeem Bello is now urging the court to order INEC to accept and treat him as the lawful candidate of APC for Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2 Lagos State in the upcoming Lagos State house Assembly Elections.
Mr Bello is also urging the court to issue order of injunction restraining Mr Wale Rauf from parading himself as the candidate of APC Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2, Lagos state in the upcoming house Assembly Elections in Lagos State.
The defendants have not filed any defence.
