A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has affirmed Ahmed Ododo as the authentic governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State.
A fellow aspirant under the APC, Abubakar Achimugu, had headed to court, where he prayed for an order disqualifying Ododo from contesting the November 11, governorship election on the grounds that he did not resign his employment with the Kogi State public service 30 days before contesting the APC governorship primary.
Delivering judgment on the suit, the presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu held that contrary to the claim of Achimugu, evidence abound that Ododo resigned his appointment more than 30 days before participating in the APC primary.
Justice Egwuatu held that exhibits tendered by the defendants showed that while Ododo’s resignation letter was received by the office of the Kogi State Governor on March 8, that of the 3rd defendant, Mr Salami Deedat, was received on March 9.
The APC, Ododo, another governorship candidate of the party, Salami Deedat and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents respectively.
The court held that an employee or appointee’s resignation letter comes into effect the moment the notice is received.
Reacting to the decision of the court, counsel for the plaintiff, Mr. Josiah Ebune said he would appeal the matter.
Earlier, the court had dismissed the preliminary objection raised by the defendants claiming that the suit was statute barred having been filed outside 14 days as required by law.
RADIO NIGERIA