In a surprising decision, the Appeal Court has disqualified the Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Ondo just days ahead of the election, reshaping the political landscape.
On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja removed Olusola Ebiseni from his position as the Labour Party candidate for the Ondo State governorship election set for Saturday, November 16, 2024.
A unanimous decision was reached by the three-member panel of justices, with Justice Hamma Barka’s leading judgment delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko. The court ruled in favor of allowing the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 submitted by the Labour Party against Chief Olusola Ebiseni and two others.
Justice Banjoko also mentioned that the Certified True Copy of the judgment would be provided to all parties involved in the appeal as soon as possible for their review.
Justice Abba Mohammed, in his supporting judgment, concurred with the decision of his fellow justices.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission to accept and recognize Olusola Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude as the Labour Party’s candidates for governor and deputy governor in the Ondo State elections scheduled for November 16.
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Justice Nwite confirmed that the Labour Party’s second primary election, which selected Ebiseni and Awude as their governorship and deputy governorship candidates, was legitimate and should be recognized by INEC.
In his ruling on the case filed by Ebiseni and Awude, identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, Justice Nwite highlighted evidence showing that Ebiseni had paid N20 million for the nomination form and was rightfully issued a form which led to the conduct of the second primary election.
He further noted that there was evidence indicating the Labour Party had instructed Ebiseni to pay N5 million to Festus Olorunfemi as compensation for his withdrawal from the governorship race.
Justice Nwite consequently directed INEC to approve the nominations of Ebiseni and Awude and to list their names as the legitimate Labour Party candidates for the Ondo State governorship election set for November 16.
The appellate court later reversed the judgment of the trial court.
