Oni’s suit against Fayemi causes ripples in Ekiti

A lawsuit filed by the political camp of a former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, against the candidature of Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi, is causing ripples in their party All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ekiti State, with a group in the state alleging collusion.

Oni, who has served as National Deputy Chairman of the APC, had gone to court to challenge the candidature of Dr Fayemi in the July 14th governorship election in the state, claiming that Fayemi, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development was not qualified to fly the party’s flag.

Last week, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted Oni leave to serve Fayemi court processes through substituted means on the suit challenging his eligibility to contest the election.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, while ruling on an ex-parte motion, said the originating documents, filed by Chief Oni, should be served on Dr Fayemi through the head office of their party, APC, in Abuja.

Oni had alleged in his motion ex parte, that Fayemi was evading service and therefore sought the court’s permission to serve him through substituted means.

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The suit has generated various reactions from APC and other party stalwarts in the state, with a group, Ekiti Network for Democratic Alliance (ENDA) claiming that it was a conspiracy between Chief Oni and Governor Ayodele Fayose against Fayemi.
The group, in a statement in Ado Ekiti by its Director-General, Dr Gbenga Fakunle, condemned the suit it claimed was “a conspiracy between the former governor and Governor Ayodele Fayose to scuttle the electoral victory of Dr Kayode Fayemi.”

The group condemned what it alleged was an “alliance seeking the nullification of Dr Fayemi’s victory at the primary election and give it to him in his stead.”

The group further alleged that “apart from holding clandestine meetings with Ekiti State government which is also in court against Dr Kayode Fayemi, the Segun Oni Campaign Organisation (SOCO) is also sponsoring aspirants for State and National Assemblies in anticipation of a possible takeover of government after he (Oni) might have been declared to be validly elected at the APC May 12 governorship primary election.”

The group advised APC not to allow any subterranean move allegedly by SOCO to frustrate the incoming government of APC through the emergence of hostile lawmakers just like it is being experienced at the national level.”

It said it was worrisome that “the same Segun Oni who had congratulated Dr Fayemi in the media over his victory at the poll,” and called on the party leader to tread with caution.