The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the case involving Daramola Olumuyiwa and incumbent lawmaker Jimi Odimayo to August 24 for hearing.
The matter, filed over the representation of the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency, came before Federal High in Abuja on Wednesday.
The court subsequently fixed August 24 for further proceedings in the suit.
The case has attracted attention amid a recent judgment by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which removed Hon. Adelegbe Oluwatimehin as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Justice Lifu declared Abdugani Arobo the rightful APC candidate and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to reopen its portal and upload his name.
The judge reportedly faulted the APC National Working Committee for failing to comply with the party’s guidelines in submitting the outcome of its primary election. The court also reportedly identified inconsistencies in documents submitted by the party in relation to the primary election.
The judgment has generated political interest in Ondo State, particularly among party members involved in disputes over the outcome of APC primary elections and the subsequent submission of candidates.
Attention has now shifted to the Daramola-Odimayo case, with Daramola challenging the emergence of Odimayo as the APC candidate for the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.
A major issue reportedly in contention is the result of the party’s primary election. Daramola is said to have claimed that he secured 6,547 votes, while Odimayo was recorded with 827 votes.
The development has raised questions over the process through which the party arrived at its eventual candidate, particularly in light of the Federal High Court’s recent scrutiny of the APC’s handling of its primary election records.
The legal dispute is also being closely watched because of arguments surrounding the extent to which courts can intervene in political party nominations.
While political parties generally enjoy substantial discretion over their internal affairs, disputes involving compliance with statutory provisions and a party’s own electoral guidelines can come before the courts.
The recent judgment involving the Owo/Ose constituency could therefore become a point of reference for parties in other pending cases, although the outcome of each suit will ultimately depend on the facts and evidence presented before the court.
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