The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Chief Olusola Nehemiah and Ezekiel Awude as the official governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Labour Party (LP) for the upcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election. This election is scheduled to take place on November 16, 2024.
The court’s decision came in response to a legal case brought forward by the Labour Party, Nehemiah, and Awude. The case, identified as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, challenged INEC’s previous refusal to acknowledge their candidacy. Justice Emeka Nwite, who presided over the case, delivered his ruling on Friday, emphasizing that the second primary election conducted by the Labour Party, which resulted in the selection of Nehemiah and Awude, was valid and must be recognized.
Justice Nwite highlighted the evidence presented in court, showing that Chief Nehemiah had fully complied with the Labour Party’s nomination requirements. The evidence showed that Nehemiah paid N20 million to the United Bank for Africa (UBA) account of the Labour Party for his nomination form. This payment facilitated the organization of the second primary election, which led to Nehemiah’s emergence as the governorship candidate.
Additionally, the court was presented with evidence that Nehemiah had been instructed by the Labour Party to pay N5 million to an individual named Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus. This payment was reportedly made to Festus’ Guarantee Trust Bank account, following his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race.
Justice Nwite condemned the actions of the Labour Party leadership, particularly those led by Julius Abure, for attempting to disown the results of the second primary election. He declared such actions illegal, noting that all necessary conditions had been met for the primary to be deemed legitimate.
The court then ordered INEC to immediately accept the nomination of Nehemiah and Awude and to publish their names as the rightful candidates of the Labour Party for the Ondo State governorship election. This ruling effectively grants Nehemiah and Awude full recognition and the rights to participate in the November 16 polls as the Labour Party’s official representatives.
