THERE is crisis in Edo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its acclaimed House of Representatives candidate for Owan Federal Constituency, Dixon Oarhe had gone to the Federal High Court in Benin City challenging alleged substitution of his name without his consent as the authentic choice of the party.

   The legal action in suit No FHC/B/CS/26/15 filed by N. P. Osifo & Co is between Oarhe Dickson (plaintiff) and one Ekeinde Stephen Obas, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

    He wants the court to determine “Whether the plaintiff who was confirmed as the 2nd defendant’s candidate by consensus during a special congress of the 2nd defendant is not the proper candidate of the 2nd defendant to be sent to the 3rd defendant as the 2nd defendant’s candidate for the Federal House of Representatives, Owan Federal Constituency, Edo State.

   “Whether the 2nd defendant can remove the name of the plaintiff after same have been submitted to the 3rd defendant as the candidate of 2nd defendant for the March 28th, 2015 National Assembly election (House of Representatives), Owan federal constituency, Edo State.”

   “Whether the 1st and 2nd defendants can circumvent the provisions of the electoral act 2010 as amended.”

   He said if the questions asked are to his favour, the court should  declare “that the purported withdrawal of plaintiff’s name and the subsequent submission of name of 1st defendant as candidate of the 2nd defendant to the 3rd defendant is illegal, null, void and of no legal consequence or significance.

“A consequential order mandating the 3rd defendant not to act on the subsequent submission of the 1st defendant as the candidate of the 2nd defendant representing Owan federal house of representatives.

   “An order of this honourable court compelling and/or mandating the 3rd defendant to act on the letter of the plaintiff dated 19th day of January, 2015 in which the plaintiff was named as candidate of the 2nd defendant for Owan federal house of representatives.

   “An order of this honourable court to the effect that the plaintiff is the valid candidate of the 2nd defendant for election into house of representatives, Owan federal constituency and the 3rd defendant should treat him as such”, it contained.