2027: Court Sets October 26 to Rule on Oyo APC Reps Ticket

A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has fixed October 26, 2026, to deliver judgment in a case challenging the All Progressives Congress’ House of Representatives ticket for the Oyo Federal Constituency in the 2027 election.

The case, filed by Wakil Oyeleru Oyedemi, is challenging the APC primary election conducted to select its candidate for the Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East and Oyo West Federal Constituency.

Oyedemi brought the suit against the APC, Akeem Adeyemi and the Independent National Electoral Commission, asking the court to cancel the primary on the grounds that the exercise allegedly failed to comply with the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC’s own guidelines.

The case, numbered FHC/IB/CS/64/2026, came before Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha on Monday at the Federal High Court in Ibadan.

Although the parties were not physically present in court, their lawyers appeared on their behalf and made their final submissions before the judge.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musibau Adetunbi, asked the court to grant his client’s request and set aside the primary election.

Adetunbi argued that the accreditation of party members was not carried out in some of the affected wards across the four local government areas that make up the constituency.

He relied on documents filed by INEC, particularly an affidavit and an accompanying exhibit, in arguing that accreditation did not take place in Wards 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The plaintiff’s lawyer also asked the court to order the APC to conduct another primary within the period allowed by law.

He further challenged objections raised by the APC against the suit, arguing that his client was entitled to rely on the evidence presented before the court.

Counsel for the APC, Ibrahim Bawa, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the case. He argued that the plaintiff’s application was procedurally defective and did not comply with the rules governing the special proceedings.

Bawa also challenged the number of affidavits filed by the plaintiff, arguing that they were submitted without the required permission of the court.

He maintained that the procedure adopted by the plaintiff was inconsistent with provisions of the Evidence Act and Electoral Act.

Lawyer to the second defendant, Akeem Adeyemi, Kazeem Adedeji, also asked the court to reject the plaintiff’s case.

Adedeji argued that the plaintiff’s claim that no primary election took place was not supported by the facts before the court. He maintained that an indirect primary had been conducted and that the defendants had provided evidence in support of their position.

He further argued that the plaintiff’s case could not succeed either on the facts presented or under the law.

INEC, represented by A.F. Lawal, adopted the arguments and legal processes presented by the APC and urged the court to dismiss the suit.

After listening to the submissions from all the lawyers, Justice Maha adjourned the matter until October 26, 2026, when the court will deliver its judgment.

The outcome will determine whether the APC’s primary election for the Oyo Federal Constituency will stand ahead of the 2027 general election or whether the party may be required to conduct another exercise.

The dispute adds to the growing number of legal battles surrounding the selection of candidates by political parties as preparations for the 2027 elections gather pace.