The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared Ghani Arobo as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency of Ondo State.
BusinessDay reports that the Court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload Arobo’s name on its portal within 48 hours.
The Court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu held that Arobo lawfully emerged the House of Representatives’ candidate of the APC at the party’s primary election.
According to a copy of the certified True Copy of the judgment obtained by BusinessDay in Akure, the Court held that the substitution and upload of another individual’s name to INEC’s portal was irregular and unlawful.
The Court also ruled that the APC failed to make lawful return and that the evidences presented by the APC were riddled with inconsistencies.
However, the Court found the evidences presented by Arobo and INEC which monitored the exercise to be valid.
Consequently, the Court ordered that any name uploaded in replacement must be removed forthwith and that INEC should reflect the lawful outcome of the APC primary by updating its records within 48-hours.
Reacting to the judgment, Arobo, a lawyer, expressed gratitude to the judiciary and reiterated his commitment to continuing his campaign in a manner that unites constituents and advance development for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
He urged INEC to comply immediately with the Court’s order so that the electoral timetable and democratic processes are not further impeded by administrative irregularities.