From Kayemo News
A federal high court sitting in Abuja has dismissed the suit challenging the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election in Ekiti and validated Oyebanji’s candidature.
One of the aspirants, Abimbola Olawunmi had challenged the screening and primary election process of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the court.
She contested her disqualification during the party’s screening exercise, naming the APC, INEC, and Governor Oyebanji as defendants in the suit.
In his judgement, Justice Peter Lifu who dismissed the case on two primary grounds, held that the selection and nomination of candidates are strictly internal affairs of a political party, and that a political party maintains the sole prerogative to determine the eligibility of its members.
The Judge also ruled that the judiciary lacked the jurisdiction to interfere in such domestic matters.
He also held that the plaintiff failed to file the case within the strict timeframe required by the Electoral Act, 2022. Because the suit was not initiated within the mandatory period for pre-election matters, it was deemed statute-barred.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti APC has welcome the judgement, declaring that there is no victor no vanquish.
Reacting to the judgement in a statement, the party spokesman, Segun Dipe said, “as a law-abiding party, the APC in Ekiti State welcomes this judgment. However, we say clearly and emphatically that there is no victor and no vanquished.
“The task before us is urgent and historic. Our candidate, His Excellency Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, is seeking re-election on the strength of a sterling first-term record. Ekiti has seen stability, transparency, infrastructure, and security under his leadership. We must now take this message to every street, every ward, and every unit.
“We call on all party members to see themselves as equal canvassers in this campaign. The campaign is intra local government, intra ward, and intra unit. It must be prosecuted without rancour. Our objective is to win for Governor Oyebanji in all 177 Wards and to garner a minimum of 500,000 votes. This victory will be to the benefit of all Ekiti people.
“We thank the judiciary for its wisdom and firmness. We thank our leaders, elders, and members for their loyalty through this process. Now, let us unite and work. Let us win together.
“APC is one. Ekiti is one. BAO’s second term is for the good of all.”
