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Ahead of the gubernatorial election in Ondo State this Saturday, the Labour Party has called on Nigerians, especially voters to disregard reports claiming that its candidate, Olusola Ebiseni, has been disqualified.
The reports stem from a recent judgment by the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court, which on Wednesday allegedly disqualified Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate.
The three-judge panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka and with a ruling delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, ruled on an appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024, stating that “the appeal brought by the Labour Party against Chief Olusola Ebiseni and two others is allowed.”
Previously, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Olusola Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude as the Labour Party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the election.
Justice Nwite asserted that the second primary election, which selected Ebiseni and Awude, was valid and mandated INEC to uphold it.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite highlighted that Ebiseni paid ₦20 million for his nomination form and was officially issued the form, which led to the second primary election.
Additionally, he noted that the Labour Party had instructed Ebiseni to pay ₦5 million to Festus Olorunfemi as compensation for withdrawing from the race, further affirming Ebiseni’s legitimacy as a candidate.
Consequently, Justice Nwite ordered INEC to recognize and publish Ebiseni and Awude’s names as the Labour Party’s official candidates for the November 16 election.
However, the Appeal Court’s recent ruling has caused confusion.
Ondo Labour Party Chair Responds: ‘The Claims Are Lies, Matters Were Resolved’
When reached by DAILY POST on Thursday, Ondo Labour Party Chairperson Mrs. Remilekun Ojo dismissed the disqualification claims, asserting that internal resolutions had already addressed these issues before the court’s ruling.
She criticized the circulating reports as falsehoods, stating, “The reports are all lies.”
Mrs. Ojo alleged that politicians from other parties are attempting to stir confusion within the Labour Party because they perceive it as a threat in the upcoming election.
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