35-Year-Old Presidential Aspirant Sues PDP Over N40m Form Fee

Mr Ayoola Falola, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, approached the Federal High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, seeking to nullify the processes of the party’s primary elections ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The suit is challenging the party for charging N40m for its expression of interest and nomination forms in the forthcoming presidential election.

Falola joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, in the suit.

In his prayers, a copy which was obtained by our correspondent, Falola deposed that the party lacked the power to issue guidelines requesting for payment of nomination and expression of interest forms from the claimant or any other member aspiring to contest for a public office in the forthcoming general elections.

Citing Section 84(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Sections 65, 66,106, 107, 131, 137, 177, 187, 224, 224 and 15(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the plaintiff prayed that the court should declare the process null and void.

He further declared that INEC had the power to monitor the operations of the PDP with regards to imposition in its constitution, guidelines or rules and additional nomination qualification or disqualification criteria.