2023: APC has no candidate for the federal constituency of Ondo - Court
The Federal High Court in Akure has disqualified the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akoko South East and South West Federal Constituency in Ondo State in the general election from February 25.
Adegboyega Adefarati was disqualified after the court overturned the party primaries that produced him in November.
The court declared that the APC therefore had no candidate in the constituency for the election.
This was the second APC primary in the constituency to be overturned by the courts following motions questioning the procedures for running the exercises.
The court canceled the party's first primary election held on May 27, 2022 after the court agreed with a petitioner that the election would be held in Akure instead of Akoko.
The court then ordered a replay following a consent judgment resulting from an agreement between the disputing parties.
Mr. Adefarati emerged victorious when the primary elections resumed in November.
However, one of the contestants, Segun Ategbole, approached the court again, seeking to be declared the winner.
The court, in its judgment by a judge, T.B. Adegoke, found that the conduct of this primary was also faulty and, therefore, overturned it.
However, the court this time ruled that the APC would not have a candidate for the constituency, having failed to hold a valid primary within the allotted time.
This prevented the party from holding another primary election as the primary window closed 180 days before the polls, as stipulated in the 2022 Elections Act.
The court also prevented INEC from accepting the name of Mr. Adefarati, Mr. Ategbole or any other name from the APC.
The party rejects the judgment and heads to the court of appeal
Meanwhile, the state's CPA has dismissed the judgment, pledging to pursue an appeal.
Party spokesman Alex Kalejaiye said on Friday that the party had instructed its lawyers to seek a stay of execution of the judgment.
READ ALSO:“The state chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, assures the party faithful that the party will challenge the judgment in the court of appeal, with a view to securing a favorable judgement,” Mr. Kalejaiye said.
"The State Section calls on party members and residents of the Federal Constituency to remain calm and let peace reign.
“The party will definitively recover the ticket and will finally win the federal constituency on February 25,” assured the leader of the party.
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The Federal High Court in Akure has disqualified the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akoko South East and South West Federal Constituency in Ondo State in the general election from February 25.
Adegboyega Adefarati was disqualified after the court overturned the party primaries that produced him in November.
The court declared that the APC therefore had no candidate in the constituency for the election.
This was the second APC primary in the constituency to be overturned by the courts following motions questioning the procedures for running the exercises.
The court canceled the party's first primary election held on May 27, 2022 after the court agreed with a petitioner that the election would be held in Akure instead of Akoko.
The court then ordered a replay following a consent judgment resulting from an agreement between the disputing parties.
Mr. Adefarati emerged victorious when the primary elections resumed in November.
However, one of the contestants, Segun Ategbole, approached the court again, seeking to be declared the winner.
The court, in its judgment by a judge, T.B. Adegoke, found that the conduct of this primary was also faulty and, therefore, overturned it.
However, the court this time ruled that the APC would not have a candidate for the constituency, having failed to hold a valid primary within the allotted time.
This prevented the party from holding another primary election as the primary window closed 180 days before the polls, as stipulated in the 2022 Elections Act.
The court also prevented INEC from accepting the name of Mr. Adefarati, Mr. Ategbole or any other name from the APC.
The party rejects the judgment and heads to the court of appeal
Meanwhile, the state's CPA has dismissed the judgment, pledging to pursue an appeal.
Party spokesman Alex Kalejaiye said on Friday that the party had instructed its lawyers to seek a stay of execution of the judgment.
READ ALSO:“The state chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, assures the party faithful that the party will challenge the judgment in the court of appeal, with a view to securing a favorable judgement,” Mr. Kalejaiye said.
"The State Section calls on party members and residents of the Federal Constituency to remain calm and let peace reign.
“The party will definitively recover the ticket and will finally win the federal constituency on February 25,” assured the leader of the party.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
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