The Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Forum on Fridayappealed to former Gov. Segun Oni to withdraw the suit challengingthe eligibility of the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for the July14 governorship election.
The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the APC elders came out with the position at the end of a marathon meeting heldin Igbara Odo, in Ekiti South West Local Government Area of the state.
The meeting which was presided over by its Chairman, Chief George Akosile asked Oni to withdraw the case against the governor-elect in the interest of the party.
According to a communiqu issued at the end of the meeting , the APCelders said the withdrawal of the case by Oni and his group willfacilitate an out-of-court settlement.
In the communiqu signed by Akosile and the Forums Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, the APC elders resolved to send a five-man delegationto Oni with a letter appealing for the withdrawal of the case.
NAN reports that the Ekiti APC Elders Forum also resolved to send a memo to Fayemi toreconcile with the aggrieved Segun Onis group with a view to withdrawing thecase from court and their inclusion in the forthcoming administration.
From our findings, the Elders Forum is aware that thecase is still pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja
We hereby wish to appeal to Chief Segun Oni and his group towithdraw the case from the Federal High Court, Abuja as to facilitatean out-of-court settlement in the interest of the APC Family in EkitiState, in particular and Nigeria in general.
NAN recalls that a group loyal to the former governor approached the court in Abuja, after the APC primary, urging it to nullify Fayemis candidacyon grounds that he (Fayemi) did not properly resign from his position asMinister of Mines and Steel Development 30 days before the APC primary, as dictated by the law.
Fayemi had won the APC governorship primary held on May 12 in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by polling a total of 941 votes, beating Segun Oni, who scored 481 votes to the second place and 31 other aspirants
The Oni group also dragged Fayemi to court on grounds that he was indicted by Ekiti State Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Ayo Fayose and handed a 10-year ban from holding public office.
Oni, as the Claimant/Applicant filed the suit before a Federal HighCourt, Abuja presided over by Justice Nnamdi Dimgba. The suit ismarked FHC/ABJ/CS/663/18.
Joined as Defendants/Respondents in the case are Dr. Fayemi, APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Dimgba on 20th August issued an ex parte order for substituted service on the defendants.
NAN reports that Segun Onis supporters said the court case was triggered by allegednon-inclusiveness, ostracisation, marginalisation and demonstration ofopen hatred for them by Fayemis supporters.
Source: NAN