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Isa Tijjani, a
member the Labour Party, has asked a High Court in Kanoto declare him
the substantive presidential candidate of the party for the 16th April
presidential election.

Mr Aliyu argued
that the court, presided over by Amina Adamu Aliyu has enough evidence
to judge whether the plaintiff should be regarded as the party’s
presidential candidate or not.

Council to the
plaintiff, Nurudeen Jimoh, said Mr Tijjani request was based on the
fact that he was the only person vying for the post and that he
deposited N500,000 for the purchase of an interim nomination form.

Mr Jimoh said when
Mr Tijjani deposited such amount of money, the party failed to even
give him receipt for the period of three month, saying that his client
could not purchase the nomination form because of the failure of Labour
Party to tender such receipt, which was the prerequisite of obtaining
the permanent nomination form.

He explained that
his client and Dele Momodu were the two people aspiring for the
presidential seat under the Labour Party, but due to internal problems
Mr Momodu withdrew, making him the sole candidate.

He expressed concern that the party is trying to frustrate his client, the same way it frustrated Mr Momodu.

No room for a candidate

But counsel to the
party and the Party Chairman, Biodun Fasakin said the plaintiff did not
fulfil requirements of the party for him to be nominated as its
presidential candidate. He also said Mr Tijjani did not purchase a
permanent nomination form.

Mr Fasakin,
represented by Suswan Stephen, also said there was no primary election
that presented Mr Jijjani as presidential candidate of the Labour
party. According to him, if the party presents the plaintiff to the
electoral commission as its presidential candidate, people would
question its integrity.

The Labour Party had already endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as
its presidential candidate and, as such, the party may not probably
field any other candidate for the post.