Lagos lawmaker battles INEC over refusal to re-instate his name

Peter Fowoyo, Lagos

Ahead of the State House of Assembly elections in Lagos, a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday ordered that all court processes in the suit filed by a Lagos law maker, Hakeem Bello challenging the candidacy of one Wale Rauf as the candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), be served on all the defendants. Mr. Justice Ayotunde Faji adjourned till March 7, 2019 for definite hearing of the suit. Joined as co-respondents apart from Wale Rauf are: Independent Electoral commission (INEC) and All Progressive Congress (APC). In an affidavit sworn to by Mr Hakeem Bello and filed before the court, the law maker averred that Wale 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. Mr Bello averred further that inspite of the result of the Primary election which he won Wale Rauf’s name was wrongly forwarded to Independent National Electoral Commission as the candidate of APC. Upon his protest of this development and after consultations with the Lagos State Stakeholders of APC, Wale 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 wilfully 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 of 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 of Assembly Elections in Lagos State. The defendants have not filed any defence.