The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the emergence of the lawmaker representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Timehin Adeleye, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 House of Representatives election, declaring Abdugani Arobo the rightful nominee.
In a judgement delivered on Wednesday, Justice Peter Lifu held that Arobo validly won the APC primary election conducted on May 16, 2026, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the party’s candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
The court ruled that the APC failed to make a lawful return from the primary election, describing the party’s evidence as inconsistent and unreliable.
Justice Lifu held that Arobo secured the highest number of lawful votes cast during the primary election, polling 7,959 votes in Owo Local Government Area and 2,583 votes in Ose Local Government Area.
According to the court, Arobo is the only aspirant whose name can lawfully be forwarded to INEC as the APC’s candidate for the constituency in the 2027 general election.
The dispute arose after the APC National Working Committee submitted Adeleye’s name to INEC as the party’s candidate despite protests from several members and chieftains of the party in Ondo State.
Dissatisfied with the decision, Arobo approached the Federal High Court to challenge the nomination.
The APC and INEC were listed as defendants in the suit.
In its judgement, the court ordered both defendants to immediately recognise, support and deal only with Arobo as the winner of the party’s primary election for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
The court further issued a perpetual injunction restraining the APC, INEC, their agents and privies from recognising or dealing with any other person as the party’s candidate for the constituency.
Justice Lifu also directed INEC to reopen its nomination portal to enable the upload of Arobo’s name as the duly nominated APC candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.
The ruling effectively overturns the nomination of Adeleye and settles the legal dispute over the APC ticket for the constituency, pending any appeal that may be filed by the affected parties.
