The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has replaced Olusola Ebiseni with Olorunfemi Festus as the Labour Party’s candidate for the 2024 Ondo State governorship election. The decision follows a Court of Appeal ruling, which overturned a Federal High Court judgment, restoring Festus as the official candidate.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially replaced Olusola Ebiseni with Olorunfemi Festus as the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the 2024 Ondo State governorship election. This change follows a Court of Appeal ruling issued on November 14, which invalidated a previous decision by the Federal High Court.
The Federal High Court had initially ruled on September 27 that INEC should accept Ebiseni as the candidate for the LP. However, the Court of Appeal, in its judgment, determined that the lower court lacked jurisdiction and ordered that Festus be restored as the party's candidate. In compliance with this ruling, INEC updated its records and published Festus' name, confirming him as the official LP candidate.
This decision announced less than 24 hours before the election, follows legal disputes regarding the LP's gubernatorial candidate. INEC's update, shared on its official social media platforms, confirmed that Festus would now represent the party in the race. The swift adjustment to the list underscores the significance of adhering to judicial rulings in the lead-up to the election.
Festus was originally named as the LP candidate, but his candidacy had been contested in court. With the court's intervention, he will now appear on the ballot for the November 16 election, following a tumultuous legal process.
