APC urges grassroots campaign as Court dismisses suit against Oyebanji’s candidature

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissing a suit filed against Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the June 20 governorship election in the state.

It would be recalled that one of the aspirants, Abimbola Olawunmi, had last year challenged the party over her disqualification and failure to participate in the governorship primary, which produced Oyebanji as the party’s candidate.

The court, in a judgement delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, upheld its preliminary objections and ruled that the case was statute-barred, non-justiciable, and lacking in reasonable cause of action.

The court further held that issues relating to party membership and internal processes fall within the exclusive domain of political parties and are not subject to judicial intervention. Consequently, the suit was dismissed in favour of the defendants.

Reacting to the ruling in a statement issued on Wednesday by the state publicity secretary, Segun Dipe, the party said it received the judgment with humility, stressing that the outcome should not be seen as a victory for one side over the other.

“There is no victor and no vanquished,” the party stated, urging all stakeholders and party members to intensify campaigns ahead of the election.

The APC also used the opportunity to rally support for Governor Oyebanji, who is seeking re-election, noting that his administration has recorded significant achievements in areas such as infrastructure, security, transparency, and governance.

According to the party, the task ahead requires collective commitment from all members, urging them to actively participate in grassroots mobilisation across wards and local government areas.

It set an ambitious target of winning in all 177 wards in the state and securing at least 500,000 votes in the election, describing the goal as achievable through unity and coordinated campaign efforts.

According to the APC: “The task before us is urgent and historic. Our candidate, His Excellency Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, is seeking re-election on the strength of a sterling first-term record. Ekiti has seen stability, transparency, infrastructure, and security under his leadership. We must now take this message to every street, every ward, and every unit.

“We call on all party members to see themselves as equal canvassers in this campaign. The campaign is intra-local government, intra-ward, and intra-unit. It must be prosecuted without rancour. Our objective is to win for Governor Oyebanji in all 177 wards and to garner a minimum of 500,000 votes. This victory will be to the benefit of all Ekiti people.”

The party further commended the judiciary for what it described as its wisdom and firmness in adjudicating the matter, while also appreciating party leaders, elders, and members for their loyalty throughout the legal process.