The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party’s candidate for the 2024 Ondo State governorship election. This decision complies with a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
The announcement, made through INEC’s official X account on Friday, follows the appellate court’s decision to overturn an earlier Federal High Court judgment. On September 27, 2024, the Federal High Court had directed INEC to recognize Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party candidate. However, the Labour Party challenged the ruling, arguing that the lower court lacked jurisdiction over the matter.
In a judgment referenced as CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024, the Court of Appeal agreed with the Labour Party’s position, nullifying the Federal High Court’s decision. The court ordered the immediate restoration of Festus as the party’s candidate.
INEC, complying with the appellate court’s directive, promptly updated its records and restored Festus to his rightful position. His details are now publicly available on the commission’s official website.
The statement read, “The commission was yesterday, 14th November 2024, served with the Certified True Copy of the judgment of the Court of Appeal which set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
“The FHC, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024 had on 27th September 2024 ordered the commission to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the candidate of the Labour Party for the 2024 Ondo State Governorship election.
“However, in the appeal with reference number CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 filed by the Labour Party, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division struck out the judgment of the FHC for 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 same to our website for public information.”
