The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reinstated Olorunfemi Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election taking place today (Saturday).
In a post shared on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, INEC announced that the reinstatement was based on a Court of Appeal ruling, which dismissed Olusola Ebiseni as the party’s flagbearer.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a Federal High Court decision from September 27, 2024.
The High Court had ordered INEC to recognise Olusola Ebiseni as the LP candidate.
However, the appellate court, in its judgment referenced CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024, ruled that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to issue such an order.
READ ALSO: Appeal Court sacks Ondo LP gov candidate, Ebiseni
Following the Court of Appeal’s decision, INEC updated its records to reinstate Festus as the LP candidate.
The Commission also published Festus’ details on its official website to inform the public.
The statement read: “The Commission was yesterday 14th November 2024 served with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement of the Court of Appeal which set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja Division. The FHC, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024 had on 27th September 2024 ordered the Commission to accept Olusola Ebiseni as the candidate of the Labour Party 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.
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“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.”
