The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that Barrister Ghani Arobo is the legitimate All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload his name to its nomination portal within 48 hours. Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment on Wednesday, stating that Arobo lawfully won the APC primary election and that the party's later substitution of his name with Emmanuel Adelegbe was illegal and invalid. The court found the APC's evidence in the case to be inconsistent and unreliable, describing the party as a "tainted witness," while crediting Arobo's and INEC's accounts as credible and consistent.
INEC, which monitored the primary election, had not uploaded Arobo's name after the APC's National Working Committee (NWC) declared Adelegbe the candidate. The court's order now compels INEC to act swiftly to reflect Arobo as the official nominee. Arobo welcomed the ruling, praising the judiciary for upholding due process, and called on INEC, the APC, and other political actors to accept the decision and avoid actions that could inflame tensions. He emphasized the need for a transparent electoral process that respects the will of voters in the constituency.
The APC first endorsed Arobo, then replaced him despite INEC certifying his victory, creating confusion over who legitimately represents the party. This undermines public trust in the party's internal processes and raises questions about compliance with electoral guidelines ahead of 2027. Arobo's call for calm acceptance of the court's decision highlights the fragility of party cohesion when primary outcomes are later disputed.
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