The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital has disqualified the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akoko Southeast and Southwest Federal constituency for the February 25th general election, Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati.
The Court declared the party’s primary election in the federal constituency null and void.
An aspirant in the primary election, Mr. Segun Ategbole, had approached the court, alleging infractions and seeking to be declared winner.
The court, in a judgement delivered by Justice T.B Adegoke however held that the party cannot put something upon nothing and expect it to stand.
The court, however, declared that APC has no candidate for House of Representatives in the 2023 Election as no valid primary election was held by the party.
The Court further restrained the party from conducting any primary election as the window has closed, having been shorter than 180 days allowed by the Electoral Act 2022.
The court barred INEC from accepting the name of the 3rd Defendant, the Plaintiff or any name whatsoever from APC and equally restrained the 3rd Defendant (Mr. Gboyega Adefarati) from parading himself as the candidate of APC for the February 25th, 2023 Election.
Reacting to the judgement, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state who rejected the judgement, vowed to challenge it at the Appeal Court.
In a statement by his publicity secretary, Alex Kalejaye, said the party was taken aback by the judgement of the court, as it affects its candidate for the Akoko South West/ South East Federal Constituency, Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati.
According to him, the party expressed grave concerns over the development, and directed its lawyers to file a stay of execution of the judgement.
Kalejaye said, “The State Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, assures party faithful that the party will challenge the judgement at the Appeal Court, with a view to securing a favourable judgement.
“The state chapter calls on members of the party and residents of the federal constituency to stay calm, and allow peace to reign.
“The party will definitely get back the ticket, and ultimately win the federal constituency come February 25th”, the party chieftain assured.’’
