Ekiti Guber: APC Aspirant Drags Oyebanji To Court, Seeks Nullification Of Gov’s Endorsement
A gubernatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2026 Ekiti state governorship election, Mrs Abimbola Olawumi, has prayed the Federal High Court in Abuja to nullify the party’s primary that produced Governor Biodun Oyebanji as its candidate.
Olawumi, in a suit filed by her team of lawyers led by O.A. Olawuyi, sought an order setting aside her purported disqualification by the APC.
She also sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st defendant, APC, from excluding the claimant from participating in its primary election for the nomination of its candidate for Ekiti State Governorship Election pending the determination of the suit.
Olawumi, in her originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2221/2025, sued APC and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as 1st and 2nd defendants.
The APC aspirant in the suit dated Oct. 20 and filed on October 21, sought four reliefs.
She urged the court to declare that her disqualification by the party during its screening exercise for the purpose of nominating its candidate for the forthcoming election, without compliance with the provisions of Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022, was unlawful, unconstitutional, null, and void.
“A declaration that the claimant, having been duly cleared at the initial stage and being a bona fide member of the APC, is entitled to participate in the party’s primary election for the nomination of its candidate for the Ekiti State Governorship Election.”
Giving five grounds while her prayers should be granted, Olawumi averred that she is a registered member of APC and an aspirant for the party’s governorship ticket in the state.
According to her, the claimant was unlawfully disqualified during the screening exercise conducted by the Ist defendant on 24th September, 2025.
“The disqualification was done without compliance with Section 84(14) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which provides that only a political party, aspirant, or candidate who complains that any of the provisions of the Electoral Act or party guidelines have not been complied with may apply to the High Court for redress.
“The procedure adopted by the 1st defendant was arbitrary, contrary to fair hearing, and inconsistent with both the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act,” she said.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
