News Update

An Ondo state High court sitting in Ondo town, has nullified the election of the Councillor representing Ward 8 in Ondo West Local Government Area, Oladejo Kamarudeen Adeola, for not winning the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and not validly nominated.

Subsequently, the court presided over Justice J. O. Abe, declared Kolawole Ogundipe as the rightful winner of the councillorship seat for the ward 8.

Joined as parties in the suit are; ONDO STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (ODIEC) (first respondent); ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (A.P.C) (second respondent); ENGR. ADE ADETIMEHIN (Chairman, State Working Committee of A.P.C. Ondo State) is the third respondent and OLADEJO KAMARUDEEN ADEOLA is the 4th respondent).

Delivering judgment on the case on Wednesday, 28th May, 2025, Justice Abe held that Oladejo was not a voter in ward 8, but a registered voter in ward 5 of Ondo West local government and therefore not qualified to represent ward 8.

The judgment reads, “this pre-election matter is touching on the primaries of the 2nd Respondent in ward B, Ondo West. Despite, the fact the main election has taken place and winner declared and sworn in, & cannot abate this action and the court has a duty to interpret the law and make necessary orders as required.

“Having answered the questions for determination in favor of the Applicant, this court finds and holds that this suit has merit and hereby succeeds. The court hereby makes the following olders:

“A declaration that by the provision of Article 20 (11) (a) of the 2nd Respondent’s Constitution, the 2 & 3 Respondents act of handpicking and imposing the 4 Respondent as the Councilorship candidate of Ward 8, Ondo West Local Government. Area without conducting an primary election at the Ward level is unconstitutional, undemocratic, unlawful, arbitrary and is rendered null and void.

“A declaration that by the combined provisions of Section 59 of the Local Government System Establishment and Administration of Local Government Councils Law, CAP 87, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria and Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC Guidelines for the Conduct of Local Government Elections in Ondo Suite, the Respondent who is a registered voter in Ward 5, Ondo West Local Government Area is ineligible to be nominated by the 2 & 3 Respondents and not qualified to contest for the Councillorship position in Ward 8, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State where he is not a registered voter.

“A dedaration that by the combined provisions of Section 59 of the Local Government System Lam, CAP 87, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria and Ondu State Independent lectoral Commission (ODIEC) Guidelines for the Conduct of Local Government Elections in Ondo State, the 4th Respondent’s handpicking and purported nomination as the Councillorship candidate for Wand 8, Onde West Local Government Ares of Ondo State by the 2 & 3 Respondents unlawful, legal and is hereby rendered nul and void and of no effect.