OSUN GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION: COURT OVERTURNS GOV. OYETOLA'S NOMINATION AS AN APC CANDIDATE

Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun state. Photo Credit: ICIR Nigeria 

The nomination of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and his Deputy Governorship candidate, Benedict Alabi, as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last guber election in Osun State was nullified by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday evening.

The court based its decision on the fact that Governor Mai Mala Buni, who submitted their names to INEC, violated Section 183 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria's Constitution and Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) brought Governor Mai Mala Buni and four others before the court in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 468/2022, challenging the nomination and sponsorship of Governor Oyetola and his deputy as the APC's duly nominated candidates.

In challenging the suit's competence, Oyetola's counsel, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), contended, among other things, that the plaintiff lacked the locus to commence the action and that the suit was statute-barred.

Ogunwumiju (SAN), joined by 0.M. Atoyebi (SAN) and Ademola Abimbola, argued that the plaintiff had the right to file the suit under Section 285(14) (c) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. (as amended).

In his decision, Justice Emeka Nwite agreed with the plaintiff's counsel and declared the APC's nomination of Oyetola and Alabi null and void.

The court also ruled that Governor Mai Mala Buni violated Section 183 of the Constitution by holding dual executive positions as Governor of Yobe State and Chairman of the APC National Caretaker Committee.

The court ruled that Buni's actions, including forwarding the names of Oyetola and Alabi to INEC, amounted to a legal nullity.