On Thursday, an Akure-based Federal High Court mandated a new primary for the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State’s Akoko South-East/South West Federal Constituency.
The Independent National Electoral Commission must hold a new election within seven days, according to a ruling from the court, which was presided over by Justice Demi Ajayi.
The primary, which was won by Mr. Adegboyega Adefarati, was not held at the designated location but rather in Akure, the state capital, outside of the federal constituency, according to Mr. Victor Ategbole, a party candidate for the House of Representatives, who had previously petitioned the court to have the primary annulled.
Adefarati, the primary winner, the APC, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, the state’s APC chairman, and the Independent National Electoral Commission were named defendants in the lawsuit.
The out-of-court settlement reached by all parties to the dispute served as the foundation for the court’s ruling.
All parties concurred that the election should take place within seven days and inside the federal constituency in a copy of the written terms of settlement from court signed by the plaintiffs, defendants, and their attorneys and provided to Punch.
It reads, “It is hereby agreed between the plaintiff on the one part and the first, second, third and fourth defendants on the other part, that the present suit as constituted be discontinued in the interest of the All Progressives Congress.
In a reaction, the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Olusola Oke, said that all the parties agreed to the position of the court in the interest of the party.
