Akoko South 2023: APC’s Gboyega Adefarati Stands Disqualified, ZLP Candidate, Teloye Tells Court

Candidate of the Zenith Labor Party (ZLP) for Akoko Southeast and Southwest Federal constituency in the 2023 general election, Mr. Ogunleye Emmanuel Teloye has asked the court to disqualify Mr. Adegboyega Adefarati of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from participating in the February 25th election.

Teloye, in a suit filed at the Federal in Akure, by his lawyer, Mr. Tolu Babaleye also sought an order of the court, restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from recognizing and/or accepting the nomination of Adegboyega Adefarati by the APC, as it’s candidate for the House of representatives seat of Akoko Southeast and Southwest Federal constituency of Ondo state.

Babaleye, in the suit tagged FHC/AK/CS/137/2022 on thursday told the court that Adegboyega emerged from a primary election held on the 29th of November 2022, contrary to the law, and therefore illegal, null and void.

The lawyer further argued that the primary election, through which Adegboyega emerged was conducted less than 180 days to the general election, against section 29(1) of the electoral act.

Babaleye also fualted the consent judgement on which the APC relied to conduct the November 29 election, adding that the party can’t be allowed to use the court of law to correct what it wilfully and knowingly failed to do right under the statutory provisions as it’s statutory obligation.

The lawyer also added, that the APC, under section 84(13) of the electoral act, having admitted to contravening the law and the party guidelines and APC constitution 2014 (as amended), through the consent judgement, can not be allowed to benefit from it’s wrongs and hold a fresh primary election for the constituency.

While speaking with journalists at the court, Babaleye said:

“We are here to ask the court, wether it is allowed for a political party that missed it’s opportunity to conduct a proper primary election to have a second bite of the cherry. that is the summary of the ZLP’s case against the APC today”

“We expect the court to do justice” he added

Justice T.B Adegoke adjourned the case for judgement, to a date to be communicated to the parties.