Court disqualifies Ize-Iyamu’s running mate in Edo gov poll

The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin on Wednesday invalidated the candidature of Audu Ganiyu as the All Progressives Congress running mate in the September 19, 2020 governorship election.

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kadiri Oshoakhemhe, had in a suit No: B/358/20 filed a case against the APC deputy governorship candidate and two others.

The presiding judge, Justice H.A Courage-Ogbebor, said that Ganiyu presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission in his Form EC9.

Ganiyu was the running mate to Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC governorship candidate in the last governorship poll won by Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Ize-Iyamu, in his reaction to the judgement, said, “I have received the news of the judgement delivered today 6th day of January 2021 by the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City disqualifying me and my running mate, Hon Gani Audu, from contesting the gubernatorial election held in Edo state on 19th September 2020.

“This judgement to say the least is unfortunate and utterly wrong. I have already instructed my counsel to appeal against the judgement, as I am convinced that the Court of Appeal will dispassionately consider the facts presented before the court and arrive at a just decision in accordance with the law.

“I urge all my teeming supporters to remain calm and law abiding. Justice will surely prevail in this matter to the glory of our God.”