The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed by an All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant, Mr Matthew Oyerinmade, challenging the emergence of Hon. Festus Ayodele Adefiranye as the party’s candidate for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election.
The suit was dismissed on Wednesday after Oyerinmade sought to withdraw the case for what his counsel described as “personal reasons.”
Presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, dismissed the suit following objections by counsel to Adefiranye, led by Abiola Olawole, with Samuel Ntibi and Daramola Martins, who opposed the withdrawal application.
The defence counsel argued that the parties had already joined issues and that the plaintiff could no longer simply withdraw the action.
When the matter came up for hearing, counsel to Oyerinmade, Dr Remi Olatubora, SAN, informed the court that his client wished to withdraw the suit “for personal reasons.”
Counsel to Adefiranye, however, urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that issues had already been joined by the parties.
Ruling on the application, Justice Abdulmalik agreed with the defence and held that: “Issues have been joined in this matter. I will make an order of dismissal.”
The court consequently dismissed the suit, adding: “I make no order as to cost.”
The development effectively brought to an end Oyerinmade’s legal challenge to Adefiranye’s candidacy.
Oyerinmade was among the aspirants backed by the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in the APC National Assembly primary election but lost the party’s ticket.
Meanwhile, a reliable source in the state disclosed to Nigerian Tribune that Oyerinmade had concluded plans to leave the APC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he is expected to pursue his political ambition on the platform of the party in the 2027 general election.
The source said Oyerinmade was considering the PDP ticket for the Ondo South Senatorial District.
However, legal experts have expressed concerns that the manner in which the suit was terminated could have implications for any subsequent legal action or political move involving Oyerinmade.
They noted that the court did not merely record the withdrawal of the suit but dismissed it after upholding the defence’s argument that issues had already been joined by the parties.
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