Court Sacks APC Reps Candidate

,,,,,Mr Adegboyega Adefarati, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akoko Southeast and Southwest Federal Constituency in the February 25, 2023 general election, has been disqualified by the Federal High Court in Akure.

The Court ruled that the party’s primary was invalid and that the party has no candidate for the 2023 House of Representatives election in the federal constituency.

The Court barred Adefarati and the party from using him as the party’s flagbearer in the election.

Segun Ategbole, a party aspirant, had taken the party and Adefarati to court over the party’s primaries last year, alleging violations and pleading with the court to declare him the winner.

The judgment, delivered by Justice T.B Adegoke, held that the APC had no candidate for House of Representatives in the 2023 election because the party did not hold a valid primary election.

,,,,,,It also barred the APC from holding any primary elections because the window had closed in less than the 180 days allowed by the Electoral Act 2022.

The court barred the third defendant, Adefarati, from campaigning as the APC candidate for the February 25th, 2023 election.

“INEC is restrained from accepting the name of the 3rd Defendant, the Plaintiff or any name whatsoever from APC”

,,,,,,,,Meanwhile, the APC in the state filed an appeal against the ruling on Friday, instructing its lawyer to seek a stay of execution.

Engr. Ade Adetimehin, State Chairman of the APC, stated that the party would appeal the decision in order to obtain a favorable ruling.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State is taken aback by the Federal High Court judgement in Akure today, as it affects its candidate for the Akoko South West/ South East Federal Constituency, Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati,” he said.T

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.