The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, issued a judgment on Friday that affirmed Ladipo Johnson as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Lagos Central. The decision came after the court dismissed a suit filed by Babasola Sebanjo, who had challenged the outcome of the party’s primary election that produced Johnson as the candidate.
Justice D. E. Osiagor ruled that the suit failed for want of jurisdiction and lacked merit, emphasizing that the nomination of candidates is an internal affair of political parties. Accordingly, the court declined to entertain the plaintiff’s request, stating that the judiciary is “robbed of jurisdiction to inquire into such suits.”
The NDC’s media team welcomed the ruling, praising the court for upholding the “sanctity of internal affairs of the party.” In a statement issued by Deborah Aina on behalf of the senatorial candidate, the team thanked the legal counsel, including Adebola Adewara, Adekunle Akitoye, Ikechukwu Onodi and INEC lawyer Hassan T. Fajimite, for their representation.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
The NDC urged party faithful, stakeholders and residents of Lagos Central to unite ahead of next year’s general election, emphasizing a shift from legal disputes to a campaign focused on “the issues that matter to our constituents” and delivering “progressive leadership” for the district.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
