In a ruling on Wednesday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja disqualified Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election scheduled for November 16, 2024. A three-member panel, led by Justice Hamma Barka and with a decision delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, unanimously granted the appeal (CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024) brought by the Labour Party, effectively overturning Ebiseni’s candidacy.

Justice Banjoko announced that a Certified True Copy of the judgement would be provided to all parties involved for review. Justice Abba Mohammed also concurred with the panel’s decision.

This decision reverses a prior ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Ebiseni and his running mate, Ezekiel Awude, as the Labour Party’s candidates for the election. Justice Nwite had previously affirmed that Ebiseni’s nomination followed a valid primary election, citing that Ebiseni had met the party’s financial requirements and provided compensation to a former candidate who withdrew.

Despite the High Court’s ruling, the appellate court’s decision has now nullified Ebiseni’s nomination, requiring the Labour Party to reassess its candidate ahead of the Ondo State election.