A Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially recognize Chief Olusola Ebiseni and Dayo Awude as the Labour Party’s (LP) candidates for the upcoming governorship election scheduled for November 16.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the ruling during a hearing of a joint suit brought against INEC by the Labour Party candidates.
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He asserted that Ebiseni and Awude are entitled to all rights and privileges associated with their candidacy for the election.
In the suit number, FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, Justice Nwite upheld the validity of the second primary election conducted by the Labour Party, which resulted in the selection of Ebiseni and Awude as candidates.
He noted that Ebiseni had deposited N20 million into the United Bank for Africa (UBA) account of the Labour Party to secure his nomination form and was subsequently issued the necessary documentation for the primary.
The judge further revealed that the Labour Party had instructed Ebiseni to pay N5 million to Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as reimbursement for expenses incurred upon his withdrawal from the race.
Justice Nwite criticized the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party for attempting to disavow the new primary election that legitimately produced Ebiseni and Awude.
He emphasized that they had fulfilled all prerequisites for candidacy.
Consequently, the court ordered INEC to accept the nominations of Ebiseni and Awude and to publish their names as the official candidates of the Labour Party for the forthcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election.
