Federal High Court Abuja: Abdugani Arobo Declared APC Candidate

• The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Timehin Adeleye as APC candidate for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
• Abdugani Arobo has been declared the winner of the party's primary election held on May 16, 2026.
• The judgment sets a precedent for the recognition of winners in party primaries and may have implications for future electoral disputes.
• The court found that the APC failed to make a lawful return and its evidence was riddled with inconsistencies.

An order is hereby made for the defendants to forthwith accept, recognise, support, relate and deal with only the plaintiff, as winner of the House of Representatives election for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency;

The Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a judgment that has far-reaching implications for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates. On Wednesday, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that Timehin Adeleye, the current representative of the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State, is no longer the APC's candidate for the seat. Instead, Abdugani Arobo has been declared the winner of the party's primary election held on May 16, 2026.

The judgment delivered by Justice Lifu sets a significant precedent for the recognition of winners in party primaries. This decision may have implications for future electoral disputes, as it establishes that courts can intervene to determine the rightful candidate of a political party. In this case, the court found that the APC failed to make a lawful return and that its evidence was riddled with inconsistencies. The judgment also highlights the importance of compliance with electoral laws and regulations.

The Federal High Court's decision has significant implications for lawyers, compliance officers, and political parties alike. As a precedent, this judgment may lead to similar challenges arising in other constituencies. Parties must ensure that their primary elections are conducted fairly and transparently, and that the winners are recognized accordingly. The court's order also directs INEC to reopen its portal to include Arobo's name as the rightful candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency general election.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note that this judgment sets a precedent for the recognition of winners in party primaries, which may have implications for future electoral disputes. They should be aware of the potential for similar challenges to arise in other constituencies.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper