The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has continued to recognise Hon. Timehin Adelegbe as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, following the party’s appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which declared another aspirant, Abdulghani Rotimi Arobo, as the party’s candidate.
The development comes after the APC formally notified INEC that it had filed a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution against the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on August 5, 2026.
In a letter dated August 6, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of INEC, the party, through its solicitors, Sozo Attorneys, informed the commission that it had challenged the judgment before the Court of Appeal. The letter, signed by A.G. Yirvoms Ayuba, also notified the Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the legal steps taken.
The APC urged INEC to refrain from enforcing the Federal High Court’s judgment pending the determination of the appeal, arguing that taking any action at this stage could prejudice the appellate process.
“We respectfully urge the Commission to stay all actions regarding the enforcement of the orders contained in the judgment and maintain the status quo until the pending judicial processes are concluded,” the party stated.
Copies of the Notice of Appeal and the Motion for Stay of Execution were attached to the letter for the commission’s records.
A senior source at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja disclosed that INEC had retained Adelegbe as the party’s candidate pending the outcome of the appeal.
“The party has filed its appeal against the judgment and served INEC with the necessary court processes. As it stands, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe remains the candidate recognised by the commission until the appeal is determined,” the source said.
The source further revealed that the APC had commenced an internal review of the primary election results relied upon by the Federal High Court in declaring Arobo the winner.
According to the source, the party is investigating the origin and authenticity of the result presented before the court, particularly the figures credited to Arobo.
“The party is examining the result said to show that the plaintiff scored 7,959 votes in Owo Local Government Area and 2,583 votes in Ose Local Government Area. Questions have been raised regarding how the document was obtained and whether it forms part of the party’s official records,” the source stated.
The source added that the party was also scrutinising the circumstances surrounding the presentation of the document before the court.
Justice Peter Lifu had, in his judgment, declared Arobo the valid APC candidate for the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency after holding that he emerged winner of the party’s primary election.
However, the APC has challenged the verdict at the Court of Appeal, maintaining that the judgment raises substantial legal and factual issues requiring appellate determination.
Party officials expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would resolve the dispute and determine the authenticity of the contested primary election results.
