The Court of Appeal in Akure has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary that produced Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the party’s governorship candidate in the last Ondo State election.

In November 2024, Olugbenga Edema, who eventually contested under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) filed a case at the Federal High Court, arguing that the APC primary was invalid and violated electoral laws. He sought an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify Aiyedatiwa.

After the Federal High Court struck out the suit, Edema escalated the matter to the appellate court. However, on Wednesday, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, unanimously upheld the lower court’s ruling.

The court described Edema’s appeal as an abuse of the judicial process and lacking merit. It also awarded N1 million in costs to each of the respondents, including Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Olayide Adelami.

Edema, who left the APC for the NNPP in June after losing the APC primary, was among the aspirants who claimed the party primary did not hold in several parts of Ondo State.