Ondo guber: Court orders INEC to accept Labour Party candidates

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and recognise Olusola Nehemiah and Ezekiel Awude as the Governorship and Deputy Governorship Candidates of the Labour Party for the Ondo State Governorship Election scheduled for November 16, 2024.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order while delivering judgement in a suit filed by the duo of Nehemiah and Awude, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024 between the Labour Party and six others vs. INEC.

The judge held that the second primary election held by the Labour Party, which produced Nehemiah and Awude, was valid and must be upheld by the electoral body.

Justice Nwite said there was evidence that Mr. Nehemiah paid the sum of N20 million for the nomination form and was duly issued a form that led to the conduct of the second primary election.

He also held that there was evidence that the Labour Party ordered Nehemiah to pay the sum of N5 million to one Festus Olorunfemi as expenses upon his withdrawal from the governorship race.

According to the judge, it was wrong and illegal for the Julius Abure-led Labour Party leadership to disown the fresh primary election that produced Nehemiah and Awude having met all conditions precedent.

Justice Nwite therefore ordered INEC to accept the nomination of Nehemiah and Awude and publish their names as lawful candidates of the Labour Party for the Ondo state governorship election slated for November 16.

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