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• The Federal High Court Abuja has dismissed Matthew Oyerinmade's lawsuit challenging Festus Ayodele Adefiranye's APC ticket.
• Oyerinmade sought to withdraw his suit, but the court ruled that the issues had already been joined.
• The decision sets a precedent for the validity of party primaries in Nigerian election law.
• This ruling may impact APC candidates' eligibility to contest future elections.

The court's decision was made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who ruled that Oyerinmade's attempt to withdraw his lawsuit was too late and that the issues had already been joined.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Matthew Oyerinmade, an All Progressives Congress aspirant, against Festus Ayodele Adefiranye, the party's candidate for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency. The suit challenged the validity of Adefiranye's emergence as the party's candidate in the 2027 House of Representatives election.

The court's decision was made by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who ruled that Oyerinmade's attempt to withdraw his lawsuit was too late and that the issues had already been joined. This means that the case has progressed beyond a simple withdrawal and is now tied to other related matters.

The dismissal of Oyerinmade's challenge sets a precedent for the validity of party primaries in Nigerian election law. The court's ruling may have implications for APC candidates, particularly those who are considering contesting future elections. Lawyers advising these candidates should note that this decision establishes a benchmark for the legitimacy of party nominations.

The Federal High Court Abuja has jurisdiction over such matters, and its decisions are binding on all parties involved. This means that any appeals or further challenges to Adefiranye's candidacy would need to be brought in accordance with the court's ruling.

The dismissal of Oyerinmade's challenge has significant implications for the APC and its candidates in the 2027 House of Representatives election. The party's nomination process is now more clearly defined, and any future challenges to this process will need to be brought within the parameters set by the court.

This decision also highlights the importance of party primaries in determining candidate eligibility. The court's ruling establishes a clear precedent for the validity of these nominations, which may impact the APC's ability to field strong candidates in future elections.

Lawyers advising APC candidates should note that the court's dismissal of Oyerinmade's challenge sets a precedent for the validity of party primaries, and may impact their clients' eligibility to contest future elections.

Source: Original reporting via TheNigeriaLawyer