Ismaeel Aleem
A gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mrs Abimbola Olawuni, has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to void the party’s primary election in Ekiti State, which produced Governor Biodun Oyebanji as its candidate for the forthcoming election.
In suit FHC/ABM/CS/222/2025, filed by her counsel Abayomi Olawuyi, Olawuni contends that the primary’s conduct was arbitrary, breached fair hearing principles, and contravened both the APC Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
Her principal grievance is her exclusion from the poll despite being a legitimate party member who duly purchased the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
She seeks a court order to set aside her purported disqualification and prohibit the APC from barring her from the nomination process.
Abimbola asserts that she was initially cleared to participate but was shockingly disqualified on 24 September during the screening exercise, which she describes as a “sham” and unlawful for non-compliance with section 84 of the Electoral Act and party guidelines.
The plaintiff has further applied for an interim injunction restraining the APC from concluding the primary or submitting Governor Oyebanji’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s candidate for the Ekiti gubernatorial election.
The matter has been assigned to Justice Peter Lifu for adjudication.
