Court throws out suit challenging Tinubu’s candidacy

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging the candidacy of Bola Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Fadima Aminu Muritala, who threw out the suit, described the plaintiff, Ngozika Ihuoma, as a “meddlesome interloper having no locus standi to institute the suit”.

Ihuoma dragged Tinubu and five others to court on June 9, 2022 after Tinubu had won the APC presidential primary election.

He sought for six reliefs, which included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) barring Tinubu from contesting the next year’s presidential election.

Tinubu in June defeated 13 other contenders to emerge the presidential flag bearer of the APC. He won with a total vote of 1,271.

A statement on Wednesday by the Director, Media & Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Bayo Onanuga, said, “In defence of the suit, the law office of Babatunde Ogala (SAN) & Co on behalf of All Progressives Congress filed a counter affidavit in opposition to the Originating Summons and a Notice of Preliminary Objection.

“The counter affidavit challenged Ihuoma’s locus standi and grounds for the action.

“It sought a court declaration that the case was speculative, pre-emptive and non-justiciable being the internal affairs of a political party.

“The counter affidavit also punctured Ihuoma’s case as academic, theoretical and an abuse of court process.

“The court on Monday upheld the defence counsel’s objections and struck out the case.”