Court Strikes Out Law Suit By APC Against Fayose

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has dismissed the suit by the All Progressives Congress, challenging the eligibility of Governor Ayodele Fayose to contest the 21 June, 2014 election in the state.

The court ruled that Fayose’s impeachment in 2006 was not enough to unseat him as the elected governor.

Delivering judgement, the court held that while impeachment was not a ground of disqualification ‎from contesting as governor, the panel which recommended Fayose for impeachment on October 16, 2006, was illegally and unconstitutionally constituted.

The court also ruled that allegations of certificate forgery is not substantive as the HND certificate Fayose presented when he signified interest to run for Governor was genuinely earned and was awarded to him.

Regarding allegations of the use of the military by Fayose to intimidate APC supporters during the June 2014 governorship election, the Supreme Court ruled that the Chief of Defense Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, joined as 4th and 5th defendants in the case were not necessary parties.