Labour Party Confidently Reaffirms Ebiseni’s Candidacy Amid Rising Ondo Election Speculations

Ahead of the forthcoming Ondo State gubernatorial election, the Labour Party (LP) has officially affirmed that Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni remains its recognized candidate. This statement comes amid swirling rumors suggesting that Ebiseni may have been disqualified, prompting the party to clarify his status publicly. The announcement was made through a statement in Akure by the LP’s Director of Legal Services, Ojo Tosin Leramo, who characterized the rumors as deliberate misinformation from rival political parties aiming to undermine the LP’s momentum.

Leramo underscored that the circulating rumors were part of a calculated smear campaign by political opponents and insiders allegedly collaborating to confuse the electorate. He labeled the disqualification claims as “fake news,” asserting that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, never disqualified Ebiseni. According to Leramo, these tactics are simply attempts by anxious opponents to destabilize the Labour Party’s strong candidacy and derail its support base.

Clarification on Court Case and Candidacy Validity

Addressing the legal intricacies of the case, Leramo clarified that the Federal High Court, Abuja, had issued a ruling on a suit filed by the Labour Party and its candidates, including Ebiseni and his running mate, Adedayo Ezekiel Awude. The suit, labeled Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, sought the court’s intervention to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to officially recognize and publish Ebiseni and Awude as LP’s candidates for the November 16 election.

In a move that stirred further speculation, a motion was filed by Kehinde Edun, LP’s National Legal Adviser, seeking to strike the party’s name from the lawsuit. Leramo explained that this action was a procedural step, not a challenge to Ebiseni and Awude’s eligibility, as only authorized party officials, such as the National Chairman or Legal Adviser, have the authority to initiate or withdraw litigation on behalf of the LP. Leramo emphasized that both Ebiseni and Awude’s nominations were conducted under the guidance of party leaders, further solidifying their status as legitimate LP candidates.

Appeals and Misinformation Explained

Leramo further detailed recent judicial developments, including the ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court on September 27, which granted the plaintiffs the reliefs they had sought. This ruling led to two appeals—one of which was dismissed, while the other, initiated by LP leader Julius Abure, was allowed. However, Leramo was quick to emphasize that the appeals process did not dispute the validity of Ebiseni and Awude’s candidacies, as the appellate court re-heard the case without overturning the previous nomination outcomes.

The LP legal director attributed the uptick in misleading reports to the recent visit of Peter Obi, the LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, to Ondo State. Leramo believes that Obi’s presence intensified opposition efforts to spread disinformation, targeting LP’s growing popularity. He urged supporters to see through the opposition’s “tantrums” and rally behind Ebiseni, who remains the recognized LP candidate.

Ebiseni Responds, Dispels Doubts about His Candidacy

In his response, Ebiseni himself denounced the rumors as baseless, criticizing his opponents for engaging in a “misinformation campaign.” He stated that the court’s ruling on his candidacy was founded on concrete evidence, not speculative claims, and emphasized the importance of adhering to the actual facts of the judgment. Ebiseni expressed disappointment in individuals who continue to spread unfounded claims and challenged them to produce any evidence disproving his candidacy.

Ebiseni declared, “A court judgment is not based on conjecture but on presented evidence. I remain the legitimate Labour Party candidate for the upcoming Ondo gubernatorial election. Any claims to the contrary lack legal or factual basis and are purely political distractions.” With his party’s backing and a clear legal standing, Ebiseni has reaffirmed his readiness to continue in the race, calling on Ondo State voters to support the Labour Party at the polls and reject the disinformation tactics employed by opponents.