Olubiyi Fadeyi: Denies Supreme Court Disqualification Claim

• Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi dismissed claims that a recent Supreme Court judgment ended his re-election bid for the Osun Central Senatorial District.
• The Supreme Court upheld INEC's appeal, affirming that Sections 77(5) and 84 of the Electoral Act 2026 do not conflict with the 1999 Constitution.
• The judgment set aside a Court of Appeal ruling that had favored the Zenith Labour Party, also dismissing appeals from the Social Democratic Party and the Youth Party.
• Senator Fadeyi stated his candidacy process for the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2027 polls adhered strictly to legal and party guidelines.
• Constitutional lawyers confirm the Supreme Court ruling does not automatically invalidate candidates whose names have already been published by INEC.

The ruling clarifies that the Supreme Court's judgment on the Electoral Act, specifically Sections 77(5) and 84, does not automatically invalidate the candidacies of individuals like Senator Fadeyi, whose names have already been published by INEC.

Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, representing the Osun Central Senatorial District, has firmly rejected recent suggestions that his aspiration for re-election has been jeopardized by a Supreme Court judgment delivered last Thursday. Speaking from Osogbo on Saturday, Senator Fadeyi characterized these insinuations as unfounded and speculative, asserting that they originate from political adversaries who are apprehensive of his widespread popularity and acceptance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lawmaker, who is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District, emphasized that the process leading to his candidacy for the upcoming 2027 polls fully complied with both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Acts. He stressed that there is no concrete judicial evidence supporting any claim of his disqualification, reinforcing his position that such reports are baseless.

Senator Fadeyi further clarified that the issue surrounding his candidacy remains an internal matter for the PDP, which has already affirmed him as its authentic candidate. He highlighted that the party's procedure for bestowing the second-term ticket upon him was transparent, lawful, and received approval from all relevant party executives, underscoring the PDP's adherence to electoral laws for all its candidates in the 2027 elections.

The Supreme Court's recent judgment, which prompted the speculation around Senator Fadeyi's eligibility, centered on an appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This appeal successfully challenged a Court of Appeal decision that had invalidated specific sections of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those pertaining to political party primaries and membership registers.

A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, ultimately set aside the Court of Appeal's ruling, which had favored the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Instead, the apex court upheld the judgment of the trial court, affirming that Sections 77(5) and 84 of the Electoral Act do not conflict with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. The court also imposed a cost of N2 million against the ZLP.

In addition to this primary ruling, the Supreme Court also dismissed two other distinct appeals that had been lodged against INEC by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Youth Party. It is important to note that neither the Peoples Democratic Party nor Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi Ph.D were direct parties to the specific suit that led to this Supreme Court judgment; the main parties involved were the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and the Young Progressive Party (YPP).

Constitutional lawyers have weighed in on the Supreme Court's decision, offering a crucial interpretation that directly addresses the concerns raised by the Olubiyi Fadeyi Supreme Court disqualification claim. These legal experts assert that the recent judgment does not, in any way, automatically invalidate the names of candidates who have already been officially published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

This interpretation is significant for the validity of existing candidate lists across Nigeria, including those for the Osun Senator Fadeyi candidacy challenge. It reinforces the principle that a broad disqualification claim based on this particular Supreme Court judgment would not hold, especially for individuals whose candidacies have been processed and affirmed according to established legal and party procedures.

The ruling clarifies that the Supreme Court's judgment on the Electoral Act, specifically Sections 77(5) and 84, does not automatically invalidate the candidacies of individuals like Senator Fadeyi, whose names have already been published by INEC.

This ruling clarifies that the Supreme Court's judgment on the Electoral Act, specifically Sections 77(5) and 84, does not automatically invalidate the candidacies of individuals like Senator Fadeyi, whose names have already been published by INEC. Lawyers advising political clients or involved in election petitions should note this interpretation, as it reinforces the validity of existing candidate lists against broad disqualification claims based on this particular judgment.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH