2027: Court Affirms Ghani Arobo As APC Candidate For Owo/Ose Reps Seat
The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has today declared Barrister Ghani Arobo the lawful All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload his name within 48 hours.
The Court found that Barr. Arobo lawfully emerged from the APC primary and that the party’s subsequent substitution and upload of another individual’s name to INEC’s portal was irregular and unlawful.
In delivering judgment, the Court noted that the APC failed to make the lawful return and that the evidence of APC was riddled with inconsistencies. APC was ruled to be a tainted witness. Meanwhile, the court found the evidence provided by Arobo and INEC which monitored the exercise to be unshakable.
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 the 48-hour timeframe.
This judgment reaffirms the primacy of the rule of law, the sanctity of internal party democratic processes, and the integrity of electoral administration. It is a vindication of the will of party members and the due process that produced Barr. Arobo as the APC standard-bearer for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency. We welcome the swift and decisive pronouncement of the Court and call on all stakeholders, including party officials and security agencies, to respect the judgment and ensure a peaceful, orderly implementation.
Barr. Ghani Arobo expressed gratitude to the judiciary and reiterated his commitment to continuing his campaign in a manner that unites constituents and advances development for the 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.
The judge direct INEC to act without delay and to upload Barr. Ghani Arobo’s name as the APC candidate for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency within the Court-prescribed 48 hours. We also call on the APC, its agents, and all political actors to accept the Court’s ruling, refrain from actions that could escalate tensions, and work towards a transparent and credible electoral process that reflects the genuine choice of the people.
