The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and recognize Chief Olusola Nehemiah and Ezekiel Awude as the Labour Party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the upcoming Ondo State election.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling delivered on Friday, mandated that Nehemiah and Awude be granted full recognition, rights, and privileges as the legitimate candidates for the November 16 Ondo State governorship poll.
The decision was made following a joint lawsuit filed by the Labour Party, Nehemiah, and Awude, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024. Justice Nwite ruled that the second primary election held by the Labour Party, which led to the selection of Nehemiah and Awude, was valid and must be acknowledged by INEC.
The judge noted that Nehemiah had provided evidence of his payment of N20 million into the United Bank for Africa (UBA) account of the Labour Party for the nomination form, which led to the conduct of the second primary election. Additionally, the Labour Party had instructed Nehemiah to pay N5 million to Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus at Guarantee Trust Bank, following Festus’ withdrawal from the gubernatorial race.
Justice Nwite deemed it illegal for the Julius Abure-led Labour Party to disown the second primary election that resulted in the candidacies of Nehemiah and Awude, as all necessary conditions had been fulfilled. Consequently, INEC has been ordered to accept and publish their names as the rightful candidates for the November 16 Ondo State governorship election.