The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akoko Southeast and Southwest Federal constituency of Ondo State in the 25 February general election has been disqualified by the Federal High Court in Akure.
Adegboyega Adefarati was disqualified after the court overturned the November party primaries that produced him.
As a result, the APC has no candidate in the constituency for the election, according to the court.
It was the APC’s second primary in the constituency to be declared invalid by the courts after petitions were filed criticizing the procedures used to conduct the elections.
The court voided the first primary election of the party held on 27 May 2022 after the court agreed with a petitioner that the election was held in Akure instead of Akoko.
The court then ordered a rerun following a consent judgement arising from an agreement by the contending parties.
Mr Adefarati had emerged winner when the primary election was re-conducted in November.
However, one of the contestants, Segun Ategbole, approached the court again, seeking to be declared the winner.
The court, in its judgement delivered by a judge, T.B. Adegoke, held that the conduct of that primary was also faulty and, therefore, voided it.
However, the court this time declared that the APC shall have no candidate for the constituency, having not held a valid primary within the stipulated period.
It restrained the party from conducting another primary election as the window for primaries closed 180 days before the poll, as stipulated by the Electoral Act 2022.
The court also restrained INEC from accepting the name of Mr Adefarati, Mr Ategbole or any other name from the APC.
Meanwhile, the APC in the state has rejected the judgement, vowing to proceed on appeal.
The party’s spokesperson, Alex Kalejaiye, on Friday said the party has directed its lawyers to file a stay of execution of the judgement.
“The State Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, assures party faithful that the party will challenge the judgement at the Appeal Court, with a view to securing a favourable judgement,” Mr Kalejaiye said.
“The State chapter calls on members of the party, and residents of the federal constituency to stay calm, and allow peace to reign.
“The party will definitely get back the ticket, and ultimately win the federal constituency come February 25th”, the party chieftain assured.”