JUST IN: Court orders INEC to recognise LP Candidate, Ebiseni for Ondo guber election

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Chief Olusola Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude as the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Labour Party (LP) respectively for the Ondo State governorship election.

The court ordered that Ebiseni and Awude must be accorded recognition, rights and privileges as candidates for the November 16 governorship poll.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order on Friday while delivering judgment in a joint suit instituted against INEC and others by the Labour Party, Ebiseni and Awude.

In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, Justice Nwite held that the second primary held by Labour Party and which produced Ebiseni and Awude was valid and must be upheld by INEC.

Justice Nwite said that evidence abound that Ebiseni paid N20 million into the United Bank for Africa (UBA) account of Labour Party for nomination form and was duly issued a form that led to the conduct of the second primary.

The Judge also held that evidence abound that Labour Party ordered Ebiseni to pay N5 million to one Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus into his account number 0023807463 at the Guarantee Trust Bank as expenses upon his withdrawal from the race.

Justice Nwite said it was wrong and illegal for the Julius Abure-led Labour Party leaders to disown the fresh primary that produced Ebiseni and Awude having met all conditions precedent.

Justice Nwite therefore ordered INEC to accept the nomination of Ebiseni and Awude, and publish their names as lawful candidates of the Labour Party for the November election in Ondo State.