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Federal High Court overturns APC’s nomination process, nullifying what it described as an unlawful return by the party’s leadership.
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Justice Peter Lifu declares Abdugani Arobo the valid winner of the APC primary election after holding that he secured the highest lawful votes cast during the May 16, 2026 exercise.
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Court slams APC’s handling of the primary, ruling that the party’s evidence was riddled with inconsistencies and ordering it to recognise only Arobo as its legitimate candidate.
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INEC directed to reopen its nomination portal to upload Arobo’s name, while a perpetual injunction bars the electoral commission and the APC from recognising any other aspirant for the 2027 election.
August 5, (THEWILL) — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday nullified the nomination of Timehin Adeleye as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State, declaring Abdugani Arobo as the party’s authentic candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, the court held that the APC failed to make a lawful return following its House of Representatives primary election conducted on May 16, 2026, and faulted the party for forwarding Adeleye’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Lifu ruled that the APC’s defence could not withstand judicial scrutiny, describing the evidence presented by the party as riddled with inconsistencies and incapable of justifying the substitution of the primary election outcome.
The ruling brings to an end months of controversy that trailed the APC primary in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency after the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) submitted Adeleye’s name to INEC despite protests from party members and leaders in Ondo State.
Arobo had approached the court, insisting that he was the rightful winner of the primary election and that the party leadership acted contrary to the result by replacing his name with Adeleye’s.
Court Affirms Primary Election Result
Delivering judgement, Justice Lifu held that the evidence before the court established that Arobo scored the highest lawful votes cast during the primary election and was therefore the only aspirant entitled to be recognised as the APC’s candidate.
According to the court, Arobo polled 7,959 votes in Owo Local Government Area and 2,583 votes in Ose Local Government Area, making him the valid winner of the exercise.
“The plaintiff, having scored the highest lawful votes cast at the primary election held on the 16th day of May, 2026, with a total of 7,959 votes in Owo Local Government Area and 2,583 votes in Ose Local Government Area respectively, is the only aspirant whose name can be lawfully forwarded to the second defendant (INEC) as its nominated candidate”, Justice Lifu held.
The court consequently declared Arobo the authentic APC candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.
Beyond nullifying Adeleye’s nomination, the court ordered the APC to immediately recognise, support and deal only with Arobo as the duly nominated candidate for the federal constituency.
Justice Lifu further restrained the party from recognising or presenting any other person as its candidate, holding that Arobo’s victory at the primary election had been sufficiently established.
“An order is hereby made for the defendants to forthwith accept, recognise, support, relate and deal with only the plaintiff as winner of the House of Representatives election for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency”, the judgement read.
The judge also granted a perpetual injunction restraining the APC, INEC, their agents and privies from recognising or dealing with any other aspirant for the constituency.
INEC Ordered to Reopen Nomination Portal
In one of the far-reaching orders, the court directed INEC to immediately reopen its candidate nomination portal to enable the commission to upload Arobo’s name as the APC’s validly nominated candidate for the constituency.
The order effectively compels the electoral body to amend its records to reflect the court’s decision unless the judgement is stayed or overturned by a higher court.
The dispute originated from the APC House of Representatives primary election held on May 16, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections. While Arobo maintained that he emerged victorious after polling the highest lawful votes across Owo and Ose Local Government Areas, the APC National Working Committee later submitted Adeleye’s name to INEC as the party’s candidate.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
