The Labour Party (LP) has firmly stated that Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni remains its official candidate for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, dismissing reports that he had been removed from the race as “false” and the result of political maneuvering by opponents.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Ojo Tosin Leramo, Director of Legal Services for the LP Campaign Organization, described the rumors surrounding Ebiseni’s candidacy as “fake news” designed to mislead the public.
He clarified that the legal suit pending before the Court of Appeal did not challenge Ebiseni’s eligibility or nomination as the party’s candidate.
Leramo explained that the case in question, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, primarily sought an order for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload the names of Ebiseni and his running mate, Adedayo Ezekiel Awude, as the Labour Party’s candidates for the November 16 governorship election.
He emphasized that the motion filed in the case did not dispute the validity of the candidacy of Ebiseni and Awude.
“Contrary to the misleading claims, the court did not make any ruling on the validity of Ebiseni’s candidacy. Rather, the judgment, delivered on September 27 by Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite, granted the reliefs sought, including the uploading of our candidates’ names by INEC.”
Leramo also clarified that two subsequent appeals, one filed by Ayo Festus Olorunfemi and the other by Labour Party National Chairman Julius Abure, did not challenge the candidacy of Ebiseni or Awude.
He stressed that the appeals focused on procedural matters rather than questioning the legitimacy of the candidates.
The statement further suggested that the recent visit to Ondo State by LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his strong statements on democracy and the party’s candidates, had triggered frustration among political rivals.
The LP urged its supporters to disregard the rumors and continue their support for the party ahead of Saturday’s election.
In response to the controversy, Chief Ebiseni reaffirmed his status as the party’s candidate, stating, “A court judgment is based on facts and evidence, not speculation. I challenge those spreading misinformation to produce the judgment they are referencing.”
He reassured LP members and supporters, saying, “Let it be clear: I, Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni, remain the Labour Party’s candidate for governor. Any claims to the contrary are baseless and misleading.”
