The parties are praying the court to determine whether or not the participation of Dr. Ajidagba in a radio program, APC Gberede, sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Harmony FM Radio Station, Idofian, is justifiable.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and three other political parties billed to contest the forthcoming local government elections in Kwara State have filed suit challenging the competence of Dr. Uthman Ajidagba, Chairman, Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC), to superintend the elections scheduled for 18 November.
The other disaffected parties are Action Democratic Party (ADP), Kowa Party (KP) and Labour Party (LP).
The suit (No. KWS/350/2017) was filed on their behalf by Mr. Sambo Muritala on Wednesday. Joined as respondents are KWASIEC and the Kwara State governor, Mr. Abdulfatah Ahmed.
The parties are praying the court to determine whether or not the participation of Dr. Ajidagba in a radio program, APC Gberede, sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Harmony FM Radio Station, Idofian, is justifiable.
Dr. Ajidagba was on the program with the APC Kwara State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Suleiman Buhari, and Mr. Lanre Giwa, an APC chieftain.
The lawyer also wants the court to determine whether it was right for Dr. Ajidagba to have gone to the radio station to respond to allegations of bias leveled against him by the PDP on 21 September. According to Mr. Muritala, the KWASIEC Chairman’s participation in the radio program carries the strong possibility of bias against the four political parties in the forthcoming council polls.
Mr. Muritala added that if the answers to his prayers are in the affirmative, the court should declare KWASIEC and Dr. Ajidgaba as incapable of conducting credible elections, given his affiliation to the ruling APC.
The applicants’ lawyer is also seeking an order directing Mr. Ahmed to remove Dr. Ajidagba as KWASIEC Chairman and replace him with a credible person to conduct the polls.
No date has been fixed for hearing in the suit.
