Ijalana Breaks Silence on Court Judgment, Considers Appeal as Federal High Court Makes Fresh Declaration on APC Primaries
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency House of Representatives primary election, Engr. Kayode Ijalana, has said he is considering an appeal following a judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which declared Hon. Ghani Arobo as the party’s candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ijalana, in a statement issued by his campaign organisation on Wednesday, said he had directed his legal team to immediately obtain the Certified True Copy of the judgment for a detailed review and legal opinion on the appropriate next line of action.
The statement noted that the decision could include challenging the judgment at the Court of Appeal, should such a step become necessary after the contents of the ruling had been carefully studied.
According to the statement, members of the APC in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency were aware that Ijalana was returned and declared winner following the conduct of the party’s primary election.
It added that his name was subsequently forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the duly nominated candidate of the party for the 2027 House of Representatives election.
The statement, however, noted that the emergence of Ijalana had been challenged in separate legal actions instituted by Dr. Oshodi and Mr. Arowele, adding that the matters were still pending before the Federal High Court in Akure, Ondo State.
It further stated that Ijalana had also approached the Federal High Court in Akure following what it described as the purported substitution of his name with that of Hon. Adelegbe as the APC candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency.
According to the campaign organisation, the action was instituted on the grounds that the alleged substitution was unlawful and contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the applicable guidelines of the APC.
The statement read in part, “Engr. Ijalana has instructed his legal team to immediately apply for a Certified True Copy of the judgment in order to carefully study its contents and obtain a comprehensive legal opinion on the appropriate next course of action.
“This may include the filing of an appeal against the judgment, should it become necessary.
“Members of the APC in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency are well aware that following the duly conducted party primary election, Engr. Ijalana was returned and declared the winner. His name was subsequently forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission as the duly nominated candidate of the party for the 2027 general elections.”
The campaign organisation said Ijalana would refrain from making further comments on the substantive issues surrounding the cases because the matters were still before courts of competent jurisdiction.
It stated that the decision was aimed at preserving the integrity of the judicial process while awaiting the final determination of the pending cases.
The statement added, “As these matters are currently before courts of competent jurisdiction, Engr. Ijalana will refrain from making further comments on the substantive issues in order to preserve the integrity of the judicial process.
“He remains confident that the courts will uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice is done in all the pending cases.”
Ijalana also expressed appreciation to leaders and members of the APC, his supporters and residents of Owo/Ose Federal Constituency for their support, patience and prayers throughout the legal process.
He urged party members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while expressing confidence that the judicial process would ultimately resolve all issues surrounding the party’s candidacy for the constituency.
