The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Chief Olusola Nehemiah and Ezekiel Awude as the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Labour Party (LP) for the Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a joint suit filed against INEC and others by the Labour Party, Nehemiah, and Awude (marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024), ruled in favour of the second primary election held by the Labour Party, which resulted in the selection of Nehemiah and Awude. The court held that Nehemiah fulfilled the requirements by paying N20 million into the United Bank for Africa (UBA) account of the Labour Party for a nomination form and was duly issued a form that led to the conduct of the second primary election.
Furthermore, the Judge cited evidence that the Labour Party instructed Nehemiah to pay N5 million to one Olorunfemi Ayodele Festus as expenses upon his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race. The court deemed it unlawful for the Labour Party leaders to disown the fresh primary election that produced Nehemiah and Awude, as they had met all the required conditions.
Consequently, Justice Nwite ordered INEC to acknowledge the nomination of Nehemiah and Awude and publish their names as the lawful candidates of the Labour Party for the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16.