The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the candidacy of Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, for the forthcoming governorship election after dismissing an appeal challenging the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.
The appeal was filed by an APC member, Abimbola Olawumi, who sought to overturn the process that produced Oyebanji as the party’s candidate.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko held that the appeal was incompetent and could not be sustained.
The court found that the appellant’s brief of argument was filed in violation of the rules governing appellate proceedings, having exceeded the permissible number of pages.
According to the court, the failure to comply with its procedural requirements rendered the appeal unsupported by valid arguments.
The appellate court subsequently dismissed the appeal and upheld Oyebanji’s position as the APC candidate for the election.
In addition, the court allowed the cross-appeal filed by Governor Oyebanji and ruled that the lower court erred in its earlier finding that Mrs. Olawumi qualified as an aspirant under the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
The panel held that the trial court’s interpretation on the issue was incorrect and consequently set aside that aspect of the judgment.
The ruling effectively puts to rest the legal challenge against Oyebanji’s emergence as the APC candidate and strengthens his position ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State.
The judgment is expected to provide clarity within the ruling party as preparations intensify for the election.
