ABUJA — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging the victory of Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye in the March 21 APC House of Representatives primary election in Ondo State.
Adefiranye is the serving lawmaker representing the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The development followed the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee to forward Adefiranye’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the party’s appeal committee upheld the outcome of the primary.
Dissatisfied with the development, Mathew Oye Oyerinmade instituted a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against Adefiranye, the APC and INEC, seeking to challenge the lawmaker’s emergence as the party’s candidate.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, the legal team representing Adefiranye, led by Abiola Olawole and supported by Samuel Ntibi and Daramola Martins, defended his mandate before the court.
After considering the matter, the court held that the issues had been joined and proceeded to dismiss the case.
“Issues have been joined in this matter. I will make an order of dismissal,” the court stated.
The court subsequently ruled: “Case dismissed. I make no order as to cost.”
The dismissal brings the suit against Adefiranye to an end at the trial court, with no order as to costs.
Counsel who appeared in court included Remi Olatubora, SAN, for the plaintiff; Ayuba Yivroms for the APC; and Adamu Bello, representing INEC.
Meanwhile, during the court proceeding, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the case following Oyerinmade's attempt to withdraw the suit.
Reacting to the ruling, Adefiranye’s media and publicity aide, Adebayo Lawrence, described the judgment as a reaffirmation of the lawmaker’s mandate and expressed confidence in the continuation of his representation of the constituency.
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