By Capital Watch Media
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled to disqualify Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party, LP, candidate for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election on November 16, 2024.
This decision overturns an earlier Federal High Court ruling that had upheld Ebiseni’s candidacy and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to recognize him and his running mate, Ezekiel Awude, as LP’s candidates.
The judgement, delivered by a three-member panel chaired by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, was unanimous. Justice Banjoko explained that the appeal, case number CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024, brought by the Labour Party challenging Ebiseni’s candidacy, was upheld.
The decision effectively annuls the previous order from the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, which had validated the Labour Party’s second primary election and recognized Ebiseni and Awude as the official governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the party.
The disqualification ruling by the Court of Appeal raises new questions about Labour Party’s participation in the Ondo governorship election.
Previously, Justice Nwite’s decision supported the outcome of a secondary LP primary election, which he deemed valid and binding, thus directing INEC to recognise Ebiseni and Awude.
However, the appellate court has now reversed this position, barring Ebiseni from the ballot and leaving the party with limited time to either appeal to the Supreme Court or present an alternative candidate before the election.
Legal experts observe that this type of dispute reflects deeper issues within Nigeria’s political party structures, where internal disagreements on candidate selection frequently spill into the courts, sometimes just days before elections.
The timeline is particularly pressing in this case, as the election is less than a week away, leaving INEC and Labour Party with little time to adjust to the new legal ruling.
The ruling represents a significant setback for the Labour Party in Ondo State, as it disrupts their planned campaign efforts.
Ebiseni, a veteran politician and prominent figure in Ondo, had been positioned as a key challenger in the state’s election.
His disqualification could weaken LP’s presence in the upcoming polls, as they face a highly competitive field with candidates from major parties such as the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Justice Banjoko has assured that the Certified True Copy of the judgment will be made available to all parties involved, enabling them to review the decision in detail and take any further legal steps if necessary.
Observers say the Labour Party’s next move is crucial, as they may attempt a last-minute appeal to the Supreme Court to seek redress.
However, with just days left, any legal maneuvering must be swift to impact the current electoral schedule.
This situation exemplifies the frequent candidate disputes that Nigerian courts face in the lead-up to elections.
As political parties jostle to secure ballot positions for preferred candidates, the judiciary often plays a central role in determining the final lineup of contenders, sometimes resulting in shifts that can influence electoral outcomes significantly.
The ruling’s outcome could potentially impact the Labour Party’s standing in Ondo State and its long-term strategies in the region, as the party evaluates its options and considers the impact of the disqualification on its supporters and wider electoral goals.
