The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has affirmed Ladipo Johnson as the senatorial candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, for Lagos Central.
In a judgment on Friday by Justice D. E. Osiagor, the court dismissed the suit filed by Babasola Sebanjo challenging the outcome of the party’s primary election that produced Johnson as candidate.
The court held that the suit failed for want of jurisdiction and completely lacked merit, thereby validating the transparency and integrity of the internal democratic processes of the NDC.
Justice Osiagor said that the issue of nomination of candidates for election is an internal affairs of political parties.
The judge held that courts are robbed of jurisdiction to inquire into such suits, hence, he declined to grant the request of the plaintiff.
Meanwhile, the media team of the NDC senatorial candidate has welcomed the judgment and lauded the court for upholding the sanctity of internal affairs of the party.
In a statement by Deborah Aina on behalf of the senatorial candidate, the media team urged the plaintiff to work with the candidate to ensure the victory of the party in the next year general election.
The statement read, “We commend our legal team, led by Adebola Adewara and Adekunle Akitoye for their exceptional representation. We also acknowledge the steadfast defense put forward by the 1st Defendant’s lawyer (NDC), Ikechukwu Onodi, and the 2nd Defendant’s lawyer (INEC), Mr. Hassan T. Fajimite.
“With this legal distraction firmly put behind us, Bamofin Ladipo Johnson extends a hand of fellowship to Hon. Babasola Sebanjo and his supporters. The primary election was a family affair, and the true victory belongs to the people of Lagos Central who are deserving of robust representation.
“We remain fully focused on moving forward. We are ready to launch a purposeful, vibrant, and issue-based campaign that addresses the core needs of the Lagos Central Senatorial District—ranging from economic empowerment and youth development to sustainable infrastructure and inclusive governance.
“We urge all party faithful, stakeholders, and residents of Lagos Central to unite as we march toward victory.
“The time has come to focus entirely on the issues that matter to our constituents and deliver the progressive leadership that Lagos Central deserves.”
Court affirms Ladipo Johnson as NDC senatorial candidate for Lagos Central