INEC Replaces Candidate Hours To Ondo Governorship Election

informantonline.com.ng

November 15, 2024

Ahead of the Saturday governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has replaced the Labour Party candidate, Olusola Ebiseni, with Dr. Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus.

INEC explained that the change followed the receipt of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Court of Appeal ruling, which overturned the Federal High Court’s judgment in Abuja.

The update was shared in a statement on the commission’s X handle on Friday.

Read Also: Sacked Ondo LP Candidate Reacts To Court Ruling

On September 27, 2024, the Federal High Court, in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, had directed INEC to recognize Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate 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 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.

Speaking on the development, the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, explained that Ebiseni was the candidate put forward by the NLC faction within the party. However, the Appeal Court had disqualified him and reinstated Dr. Olorunfemi as the valid candidate.