The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State rejected the nullification of the party’s candidate for the Akoko Southwest/South East Federal Constituency, Mr Gboyega Adefarati, by the Federal High Court Akure, on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reported that the court, in its judgment delivered by Justice T.B. Adegoke, held that the conduct of the party’s primary was faulty and, therefore, voided it.
The court declared that the APC shall have no candidate for the constituency, having not held a valid primary within the stipulated period.
It restrained the party from conducting another primary election as the window for primaries closed 180 days before the poll, as stipulated by the Electoral Act 2022.
The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) from accepting any other name from the APC.
In a statement on Friday, Mr Ade Adetimehin, the state Chairman of APC, said that the party was taken aback by the court’s judgment.
Adetimehin, who expressed grave concerns over the development, said that the party had directed its lawyers to file a stay of execution of the judgement.
He assured the party faithful that it would challenge the judgment at the Appeal Court with a view to securing a favourable judgment.
He called on members of the party and residents of the constituency to stay calm and maintain peace.
“The party will definitely get back the ticket, and ultimately win the federal constituency come February 25”, he assured.
