Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The All Progressives Congress candidate for Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State, Barrister Abdulghani Rotimi Arobo, has called on aggrieved party members to unite behind his candidacy ahead of the 2027 general elections, following a decisive Court of Appeal ruling that affirmed him as the party's authentic candidate for the House of Representatives seat. The appellate court sitting in Abuja dismissed six appeals challenging his emergence, bringing to a close a protracted legal dispute that had threatened to divide the party in one of Ondo State's most politically significant constituencies.
The Court of Appeal's judgment, delivered on Friday, October 9, 2026, upheld the decision of the Federal High Court, which had declared Arobo the winner of the APC primary election held on May 16, 2026. The appeals were filed by Hon. Oluwatimehin Emmanuel Adelegbe, Engr. Kayode Ijalana, Dr. Abiola Oshodi and the APC itself, all seeking to overturn the lower court's decision recognising Arobo as the lawful candidate. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had ruled on August 5, 2026, that Arobo secured the highest number of lawful votes cast during the primary and was entitled to the party's nomination for the House of Representatives seat.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Director of Publicity and Public Engagement, Ojo Eniafe, Arobo said the court decision should provide an opportunity for reconciliation rather than deepen divisions within the party. He described the outcome as a call for reflection and collective progress, stressing that political competition should not prevent party members from working together. "This victory calls not merely for celebration, but for reflection, statesmanship, reconciliation, and a renewed determination to build a stronger, more united Owo-Ose Federal Constituency," Arobo said. "The true measure of victory lies not in the defeat of others, but in our collective ability to transform democratic outcomes into meaningful progress for the people we are privileged to serve."
The APC candidate was unequivocal in extending an olive branch to his rivals, acknowledging the legitimacy of their aspirations and their right to pursue legal remedies. "For us, we recognise there is no victor, no vanquished. Every aspirant who participated in this journey brought ambition, conviction, sacrifice, and a genuine desire to contribute to the future of our constituency," he said. "We acknowledge and deeply respect the aspirations of all contenders, including their right to explore every lawful avenue of appeal. Such rights are fundamental to our democracy and deserve to be respected with dignity, restraint, and mutual understanding."
Arobo also paid tribute to the incumbent lawmaker representing the constituency, Otunba Timehin Adelegbe, acknowledging his eight years of service and describing his sacrifices, experience and institutional knowledge as valuable assets in the continued development of the constituency. He called on Adelegbe and other party leaders to champion the call for unity as the party prepares for the election. "We approach the future with humility, recognising that enduring progress is built upon the foundations laid by those who came before us," he said.
The legal dispute had its roots in the APC primary election held on May 16, 2026, which Arobo claimed to have won. When the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission failed to recognise his victory, Arobo approached the Federal High Court in Abuja via a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/26, seeking an order compelling them to recognise him as the winner of the disputed primary. Justice Lifu's judgment in August 2026 affirmed his position, but the aggrieved aspirants and the party appealed, leading to the six appeals that the Court of Appeal dismissed on Friday. The appellate court resolved all issues in Arobo's favour, thereby affirming the trial court's judgment.
The ruling marks a significant victory for Arobo, who can now focus on the general election campaign with the party's imprimatur. His call for unity is particularly significant given the divisions that the primary dispute had created within the Owo/Ose APC. The constituency is one of the most prominent in Ondo State, encompassing the historic towns of Owo and Ose, and has historically been a stronghold of the APC. The party's ability to present a united front will be critical to its chances of retaining the seat in 2027.
The political context of the ruling is charged. The 2027 general elections are less than four months away, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, and the governorship and state assembly elections for February 6. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking a second term on the APC platform, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement are among the major challengers. Ondo State, as a key South-West battleground, will be closely watched, and the APC's ability to manage its internal disputes and present a cohesive campaign will be tested.
The legal battle in Owo/Ose is not an isolated case. Across Nigeria, courts have been inundated with pre-election disputes arising from party primaries, with candidates challenging the outcomes of contested nominations. The Supreme Court's September 28 ruling restored key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing party membership registers and candidate nomination procedures, settling a legal uncertainty that had clouded preparations for the elections. The Court of Appeal's decision in the Owo/Ose case is consistent with that framework, affirming the primacy of the primary process and the role of the courts in resolving disputes.
For the people of Owo/Ose, the resolution of the legal dispute means that the constituency can now focus on the issues that matter to them, from economic opportunities and rural development to infrastructure, youth empowerment and agricultural advancement. Arobo said the task ahead was greater than any individual ambition and demanded courage in leadership, wisdom in decision-making, unity in purpose and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of constituents. "We must channel our energies towards effective representation, economic opportunities, rural development, improved infrastructure, youth empowerment, agricultural advancement, and a future in which every community feels seen, heard, and served," he added. The coming months will determine whether his call for unity is heeded and whether the APC can translate its legal victory into electoral success in 2027.
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