Court declares Jimi Lawal Ogun ADC governorship candidate

A Federal High Court in Abeokuta has definitively named Jimi Lawal as the authentic governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, settling a long-standing dispute over the party's ticket. The judgment by Justice Abiodun Adeyemi resolves the internal conflict that had split the ADC into rival factions, each claiming the right to the gubernatorial candidacy.

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I feel elated. I do not take these days for granted, and God has been merciful. Today’s judgment was explicit. His Excellency Jimi Lawal has now been affirmed, and we thank God for the outcome.

Lawal, an associate of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, had been in contention with Biodun Ogundipe for the party's nomination following the primary election. Dissatisfied with the controversy, Lawal initiated legal proceedings to establish his claim as the validly elected candidate.

Justice Adeyemi affirmed that the primary election producing Lawal was conducted correctly and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court found that the exercise adhered to all legal requirements, making it the sole lawful governorship primary. Consequently, Lawal is now officially recognized by the court as the ADC's flag bearer in Ogun State, with INEC directed to update its records accordingly.

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For us, the soul of the party is what is most important. We have decided that there will be no victor and no vanquished. We must be magnanimous in victory because those on the other side remain our brothers and sisters.

Reacting to the verdict, Ogun State ADC Chairman Otunba Femi Soluade hailed the ruling as a triumph for democracy and a chance for party unity. He pledged that the party would prioritize reconciliation over division, emphasizing that all members remain valued. Soluade announced plans to immediately begin efforts to reconcile aggrieved members, rebuild party structures, and strengthen grassroots support in preparation for the election. He expressed strong confidence in the party's prospects, stating that the resolved dispute would allow them to focus on strengthening their organization and promoting the party's ideals.

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You can take it to the bank that we shall prevail. We have been preparing long before this dispute arose. Now that the issue has been resolved, we will strengthen our structures, propagate the ideals of the party and reach out to more people. The ripple effect of today’s judgment will soon become evident.