Ondo: Akoko South East, West Reps Seat; The Waiting Game Continues

By Ayodele Oni

People of Akoko south east and south west in Ondo state will still have to wait for a while before their representative at the green chamber emerges.

Though election into the house of representatives had been held 10 days ago with the people voting for the All Progressive Congress (APC) the party had no candidate in the poll.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday published the names of  Rep-Elects in the February 25th general election.

The Rep-Elects, who are seven all from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and One(1) from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), are expected to receive their certificates of return between Tuesday and Wednesday.

They include Tunji-Ojo Olubunmi of APC in Akoko Northeast and Northwest, Adesida Abiodun Cornelius of APC in Akure South and North, Aderin, Ojogo Donald Kimikanboh of APC in Ilaje and Ese-odo, and Akingbaso Festus Olarewaju of PDP in Idanre/ Ifedore,

Others are Adefiranye Ayodele Festus of APC in Ileoluju-Okeigbo and Odigbo, Odimayo Okunjimi John of APC in Okitipupa and Irele, Makinde Abiola Peter, Adelegbe of APC in Ondo east and Ondo west, and Oluwatimehin Emmanuel of APC in Owo and Ose federal Constituencies.

INEC however excluded Akoko Southeast and Southwest Federal constituency in the winners list, with a ‘Court Order’ Remark.

The federal high court sitting in Akure had disqualified the Candidate of the APC for Akoko southeast and southwest federal constituency for the February 25th general election, Mr. Adegboyega Adefarati.

The court, in the February 17th judgement, declared the APC Primary election in the federal constituency null and void.

Mr. Segun Ategbole and Dr. John Adanike, who were aspirants in the primary election had approached the court, alleging infractions and seeking to be declared winner.

The Candidate of the Zenith Labor Party (ZLP) in the federal constituency, Mr. Ogunleye Emmanuel Teloye also approached the court with an originating summons, seeking the disqualification of the APC from participating in the general election, over the Party’s failure to conduct its primary election, before 180 days to the general election.

The court, in the judgement delivered by Justice T.B Adegoke however held that the APC cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.

Adegoke said APC has no candidate for House of Representatives in 2023 Election, as no valid Primary Election was held by the Party.

She said APC is restrained from conducting any Primary election as the window has closed, having been shorter than 180 days allowed by the Electoral Act 2022.

The judge also said INEC is restrained from accepting the name of the 3rd Defendant(APC), the Plaintiffs(Mr. Segun Ategbole and John Adanike) or any name whatsoever from APC

She added that the 3rd Defendant (Mr. Gboyega Adefarati) is restrained from parading himself as the candidate of APC for the February 25th, 2023 Election.