The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has replaced Olusola Ebiseni with Dr. Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, scheduled for Saturday.
The decision followed the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which overturned an earlier Federal High Court judgement. INEC confirmed the change in a statement, citing the receipt of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the appellate court’s decision.
The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, had on September 27, 2024, directed INEC to recognize Olusola Ebiseni as the LP candidate. However, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024, dismissed the lower court’s ruling, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
“In obedience to the court order, the commission has restored Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, whose name was first published as the Labour Party candidate for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election and uploaded the same to our website for public information,” INEC stated.
Reacting to the development, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, explained that Ebiseni was backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) faction of the party. However, the Appeal Court reinstated Dr. Olorunfemi as the “valid candidate.”
The ruling has added another twist to the buildup of the Ondo State gubernatorial contest.
