Court Sacks Governor Oyetola As APC Candidate In Last Election
Osun state Governor and hid deputy sacked by Federal High Court The nomination of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and his running mate for the position of deputy governor, Benedict Alabi, has been declared invalid by the Federal High Court in Abuja on the grounds that Governor Mai Mala Buni, who submitted their names to INEC, violated Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act 2022. The decision in a lawsuit brought by party member Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN) contesting the nomination and sponsorship of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and his deputy as the properly nominated candidates of the All Progressives Congress was made on Friday, September 30. (APC). The plaintiff did not have the locus to bring the case, and the claim was time-barred, among other arguments made by Mr. Kunle Adegoke (SAN), the attorney for Governor Isiaka Oyetola, in disputing the litigation’s competence. Ogunwumiju, who was joined by Muyiwa Atoyebi SAN and Ademola Abimbola, made the counterargument that the Plaintiff had lawfully filed the lawsuit in accordance with Section 285(14)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. (as amended). The nomination of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and Benedict Alabi by the APC was ruled to be invalid by the court’s presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, who also delivered the ruling in the case. The court further ruled that while Governor Mai Mala Buni simultaneously held the posts of Governor of Yo e State and Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the APC, he violated the provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution. The court ruled that Governor Mai Mala Buni’s actions, including sending the names of Governor Isiaka Oyetola and Governor Benedict Alabi to INEC, constituted a nullity in law. Adegoke, the governor’s attorney, said his group will challenge the ruling.
