The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal challenging a Federal High Court ruling that declared Abdulghani Arobo the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Owo-Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State. The appellate court's decision, delivered on October 10, 2026, upholds the lower court's order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Arobo as the party's candidate for the constituency.
A three-member panel of the appellate court ruled that the lower court acted correctly when it issued the directive, following a determination that Arobo won the APC primary election held in May 2026. The court found no merit in the appeal and dismissed it accordingly.
Background of the APC primary dispute
According to AIT, the matter originated from the APC's failure to declare a winner after the primary election for the Owo-Ose Federal Constituency seat. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja stepped in and, after reviewing the votes cast, declared Arobo the rightful winner on the basis that he secured the majority of lawful votes.
Justice Lifu then ordered INEC to reopen its candidate nomination portal so the party could submit Arobo's name as the certified winner of the exercise. This directive was the subject of the appeal that has now been dismissed.
Four aspirants challenged the ruling
Unhappy with that outcome, four other aspirants who had also participated in the primary filed separate applications before the Court of Appeal. Each sought to join the proceedings and overturn the trial court's decision. Their appeals were consolidated and heard by the appellate court, which ultimately found no merit in their arguments.
The appellate court, after considering the arguments before it, upheld Justice Lifu's ruling in its entirety. The panel found that the trial court had correctly resolved the issues raised by Arobo in his favour, and that the order directing INEC to upload his name was lawfully made.
Implications for the 2027 general elections
With the Court of Appeal's verdict now in place, Arobo remains the recognised APC candidate for the Owo-Ose Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections. The ruling effectively ends the legal challenge to his candidacy, clearing the way for his participation in the upcoming polls.
The decision also reinforces the authority of the Federal High Court in resolving intra-party disputes, particularly where a party fails to declare results from its primaries. INEC is now bound to recognise Arobo as the APC's candidate for the constituency.
In a related development, Legit.ng earlier reported that Rochas Okorocha filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja challenging INEC's recognition of Hope Uzodimma as APC's Imo West senatorial candidate. Okorocha claims he won the May 18 APC primary with 150,780 votes against Uzodimma's 102,158, but the returning officer declared Uzodimma the winner with 230,464 votes. The case raises a constitutional question over whether Uzodimma, whose tenure as governor runs to January 2028, can legally contest the 2027 senatorial election.
