The Independent National Electoral Commission has replaced Olusola Ebiseni with Dr. Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as the Labour Party candidate for Saturday’s Ondo governorship election.
The decision followed a Court of Appeal ruling which overturned a previous Federal High Court judgment.
This is contained in a statement on X handle of the commission on Friday.
INEC stated that the change was made after the commission received the Certified True Copy of the Court of Appeal’s ruling, which set aside the Federal High Court’s decision in . Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024.
The earlier judgment on September 27, 2024, had directed INEC to accept Ebiseni as the LP candidate for the 2024 election.
However, in the appeal (CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024), the Court of Appeal struck down the Federal High Court ruling on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction. As a result, INEC complied with the appellate court’s order, reinstating Dr. Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus, whose name was originally published as the LP candidate for the election. The updated list has been uploaded to the INEC website for public access.
Commenting on the development, Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, explained that Ebiseni had been the candidate endorsed by the NLC faction of the party.
The Appeal Court’s ruling effectively disqualified him and restored Dr. Olorunfemi as the valid candidate for the LP in Ondo State.
“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 judgement 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,” the statement said.
