Supreme Court dismisses Adebutu’s appeal, orders fresh hearing of Ogun PDP guber ticket

By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by a governorship aspirant, Hon. Ladi Adebutu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the judgment of the Court of Appeal of 30th September, 2022, in favour of Otunba Jimi Adebisi Lawal over the party’s governorship ticket in the state.

The appeal was dismissed for lack of merit.

The apex court, in a unanimous judgement, delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal of September 30, 2022. 

It ordered that the case file should be remitted to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge of the lower court.

While reacting to the judgement, Media Director, Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organization, Afolabi Orekoya said the judgement has just given the party another opportunity to have the court correct the wrongs at the lower court by the determination of the authentic delegates of the party.

He said: “The matter was not treated on its merit by Justice Taiwo Taiwo who struck it out based on jurisdiction. Now, it is an opportunity for the court to look at the merits of the case and decide if an individual or INEC can produce delegates for the party or the responsibility of the party to produce its delegates.”

He urged the party members and supporters not to be bothered as this development does not have effect on the candidacy of the party; rather they should be confident of victory, remain steadfast and unrelenting with their support as light is ahead of the tunnel.

“We are hoping for true justice at the Appeal Court which will set aside the Federal High Court judgement that ordered rerun of the primaries of the party in Ogun State delivered by Justice O. Oguntoyinbo on 27th September, 2022,” he added.