The Supreme Court has delivered a verdict dismissing a suit filed by Senator Smart Afolabi Adeyemi challenging the outcome of the primary election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi state on April 14, 2023.
The primary election resulted in the selection of Ahmed Usman Ododo as the party’s Governorship Candidate.
In addition to dismissing the suit, the Supreme Court has imposed a fine of N2 million as part of its judgment.
The apex court also warned Senator Adeyemi over his utterances on national television concerning the case while it was in legal contention.
The decision marks a significant legal development after the APC’s primary election, clarifying the candidate selection process.
Senator Adeyemi had refused pleas by APC leaders to back down on the case and had gone ahead with his legal arguments.
All eyes will now be on the former national chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists to see if he will back Ododo in the forthcoming governorship election in the north-central state.
Adeyemi had earlier alleged that the governorship candidate is a cousin to the incumbent governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.
He also accused the governor of witch-hunting APC chieftains in the state who were opposed to Ododo’s candidacy.