By Dayo Johnson, Akure
The Labour Party (LP) has reaffirmed that its governorship candidate for Saturday’s election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Ebiseni, remains in the race, dismissing recent reports suggesting otherwise.
In a statement issued in Akure, the party’s Director of Legal Services, Ojo Tosin Leramo, called the reports false, labeling them as propaganda from political opponents.
Leramo clarified, “The attention of the Labour Party Campaign Organisation has been drawn to a series of propaganda by jittery political opponents and collaborating insiders, particularly fake news claiming that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, supposedly disqualified our candidates in the election.”
He continued, “For clarity, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, filed at the Federal High Court Abuja by the Labour Party, Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni, and Adedayo Ezekiel Awude as the party’s Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates, the plaintiffs sought an order directing INEC to upload their names as the LP candidates for the November 16 election.”
Leramo explained that a motion filed by National Legal Adviser Kehinde Edun sought to remove the Labour Party’s name from the suit, as only the National Chairman or Legal Adviser can authorize party litigation. However, the motion did not dispute the validity of Ebiseni and Awude’s candidacy, which was confirmed by the nomination process presided over by LP leaders, including Julius Abure and Ayo Olorunfemi.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court ruled on September 27, granting the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs. Leramo noted, “Two appeals were filed, one of which was dismissed, while the other, filed by Abure, was allowed without affecting the validity of Ebiseni and Awude’s candidacy. The appellant did not challenge this aspect at the lower court, as appeals are re-hearings of the original case.”
Leramo attributed recent misinformation to the visit of LP leader and 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi to Ondo State, which he believes intensified opposition attempts to discredit LP’s candidates due to the party’s growing popularity. He urged supporters to disregard these “tantrums” and vote massively for the Labour Party on election day.
He declared, “Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni and Adedayo Ezekiel Awude remain the Labour Party’s Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates.”
Ebiseni himself responded, stating, “A court judgment is based on facts and evidence, not speculation. I would have expected Olorunfemi to present the judgment he’s referencing, rather than spreading misinformation. Let this be clear: I, Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni, remain the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate. Any claims suggesting otherwise are unfounded and misleading.”
Vanguard
