A Federal High Court in Abuja has removed Timehin Adeleye as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency House of Representatives election in Ondo State ahead of the 2027 general election.
The court ruled that Abdugani Arobo is the rightful APC candidate after finding that he won the party’s primary election.
The judgment was delivered on Wednesday by Justice Peter Lifu following a suit filed by Arobo against the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Arobo challenged the party’s decision to submit Adeleye’s name as its candidate.
Although the APC National Working Committee forwarded Adeleye’s name to INEC, the decision was opposed by some party members and leaders in Ondo State, prompting Arobo to take the matter to court.
In its judgment, the court held that the APC did not make a lawful return from the primary election and said the evidence presented by the party contained contradictions.
Justice Lifu ruled that Arobo won the APC primary election held on May 16, 2026, after securing the highest lawful votes.
According to the judgment, Arobo polled 7,959 votes in Owo Local Government Area and 2,583 votes in Ose Local Government Area.
Based on its findings, the court declared Arobo as the only aspirant whose name can legally be submitted to INEC as the APC candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.
The court also ordered the APC to accept, recognise and deal only with Arobo as the winner of the party’s primary election for the House of Representatives seat.
In addition, the court barred the APC and its representatives from recognising or dealing with any other person as the party’s candidate for the constituency.
Justice Lifu further directed INEC to reopen its nomination portal to allow the APC to submit and upload Arobo’s name as its duly nominated candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general election.
