Reports
Court Strikes Out Suit Against Ekiti APC Reps Candidate, Okoro
By Joseph Sunday
The Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday has strucked out a suit challenging the candidacy of Engr. Toyin Okoro, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ekiti at Federal Constituency 1 in the January 2027 House of Representatives election.
In Suit No: FHC/AD/CS/19/2026 filed by Bayo Bablotin, the plaintiff had accused Okoro of violating public service rules.
Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice Babs O. Kuewumi dismissed the suit on grounds that the claimant lacked locus standi to institute the action. The court held that it was audacious for Bablotin, who did not participate in the APC primary election, to challenge its outcome.
The court also struck out the name of the Ekiti State APC, joined as the 3rd defendant, noting that the ruling covers both the state chapter and the national body of the party.
Reacting to the judgment, lead counsel to the defendant, Dr. Femi Ogunlade, Esq, said the court had affirmed a well-established electoral principle.
“The court has delivered judgment in favour of the 1st defendant. Only an aspirant who participated in a primary can contest its conduct and validity, not an interloper or a busybody, which the plaintiff is in this matter,” Ogunlade said.
He added: “The core issue revolves around who possesses the standing to institute an action against a candidate, a principle that aligns with Section 25 of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, which stipulate that only an aspirant who participated in the election, not a mere sympathizer, can challenge its outcome in court.”
It will be recalled that Engr. Okoro emerged as the APC candidate after defeating the incumbent member representing the constituency, retired Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Ojuawo, in the party primary. Okoro polled 9,798 votes against Ojuawo’s 1,842 votes.
The contest was trailed by controversy after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) invited and interrogated Okoro over allegations that he operated a private company to secure public contracts while serving as a senior legislative aide.
