The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that Olusola Ebiseni is no longer the Labour Party candidate for the Ondo State governorship election, which is set for November 16, 2024.

The three-member panel of justices unanimously overturned an earlier decision by the Federal High Court. Justice Hamma Barka, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, stated that the Labour Party’s appeal against Ebiseni was valid. This ruling disqualified Ebiseni from contesting in the election.

Justice Abba Mohammed, another member of the panel, agreed with the decision. The court promised to provide a Certified True Copy of the judgment for the parties involved.

This decision reverses an earlier ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Nwite had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and publish Ebiseni and his running mate, Ezekiel Awude, as the Labour Party’s candidates. The court had validated a second primary election held by the Labour Party, where Ebiseni and Awude emerged as candidates.

Justice Nwite’s ruling highlighted that Ebiseni had paid N20 million for the party’s nomination form and adhered to party directives to compensate another aspirant, Festus Olorunfemi, with N5 million for stepping down.

Despite the earlier Federal High Court decision, the Court of Appeal’s judgment now leaves the Labour Party without a clear candidate for the upcoming election. This new development raises questions about how the party will proceed as the election date approaches.

Stay updated for more information as this story develops.