Federal High Court Sacks APC Candidate for Owo/Ose Constituency, Declares Arobo Winner
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Timehin Adeleye, for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
The judgment, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Peter Lifu, followed a lawsuit filed by Arobo challenging the APC’s submission of Adeleye’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Although the APC’s National Working Committee had forwarded Adeleye’s name to INEC, opposition from party members and leaders in Ondo State prompted Arobo to seek legal redress.
In its ruling, the court found that the APC did not make a lawful return from its primary election and that the evidence presented by the party contained contradictions.
The judge held that Arobo secured the highest lawful votes during the APC primary held on May 16, 2026, making him the valid winner of the party’s ticket for the constituency.
According to the judgment, Arobo received 7,959 votes in Owo Local Government Area and 2,583 votes in Ose Local Government Area.
Consequently, the court declared Arobo the only aspirant whose name can legally be submitted to INEC as the APC candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.
The court ordered the APC to accept, recognise and deal exclusively with Arobo as the winner of its primary election for the House of Representatives seat.
It also barred the party and its representatives from acknowledging any other person as its candidate for the constituency.
Justice Lifu further directed INEC to reopen its nomination portal to allow the upload of Arobo’s name as the duly nominated APC candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.
About the Author
