Ekitigate: Leaked Documents May Ban Obanikoro From Office
Court summon from the High Court of Lagos State served Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senate President David Mark and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stating that ex-minister Obanikoro is unfit to hold public office due to his conduct and involvement with the Ekiti rigging scandal (“Ekitigate”).
Sahara Reporters broke the Ekiti State election scandal with Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Governor Ayodele Fayose, Senator Iyiola Omisore, Minister of Police Affairs Jelili Adesiyan collectively pressuring, harassing and offering a bribe to Brigadier General Aliyu Momoh to assist them to illegally manipulate the gubernatorial election in Ekiti state last June to favor the candidate of the PDP, Fayose.
The media received this tip from a card-carrying member of the PDP, Kemi Lawla, the individual provided copies of his PDP membership card as evidence of his relationship with the party.
The documents released to the reported resource include a sworn affidavit, evidence of the claimant’s membership to the PDP, and a letter arguing against Obanikoro’s consideration for a ministerial post signed by Senator Ganiyu Solomon of Lagos West senatorial district, Senator Oluremi Tinubu of Lagos Central, and Senator Gbenga Ashafa of Lagos East.
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Among the affidavit's reasons why Obanikoro is not eligible for nomination is his ineligibility due to dual citizenship with the United States. Also, his reputation has gravely been called into question due to media coverage of his role on the Ekiti State election scandal.
Moreover, the letter signed by Lagos State Senators detailing Obanikoro should be disqualified from holding public office until a thorough investigation must be considered by the court.
Lagos State Senators Solomon, Tinubu, and Ashafa declared “the Constitution behooves us the power to screen Ministerial Nominees…to ensure that we approve Nigerians with unblemished records for Ministerial positions.”
The lawsuit filed by Lawal requests an immediate injunction against Obanikoro’s potential confirmation for appointment by the Senate.
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To be recalled, several lawyers and civil society activities have told recently the Nation’s government to investigate the audio recording of PDP's chieftains plotting with security agencies to rig the gubernatorial election in Ekiti State.
The recording revealed that prominent officials of the PDP had planned to rig the 2014 Ekiti governorship election alongside army officials.
Those allegedly caught in the recording was Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Defence Minister, and Ayo Fayose, who defeated the incumbent governor.
Both have denied being a party to the plot to rig the election and questioned the authenticity of the recording.
Source: Legit.ng
