The Victor Ategbole Campaign Organisation has dismissed claims that its candidate has withdrawn from an ongoing court case challenging the emergence of Hon. Gboyega Adefarati as the APC candidate for the Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 elections. The campaign’s position comes as the legal dispute remains……
The Victor Ategbole Campaign Organisation has dismissed claims that its candidate has withdrawn from an ongoing court case challenging the emergence of Hon. Gboyega Adefarati as the APC candidate for the Akoko South-East/Akoko South-West Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 elections.
The campaign’s position comes as the legal dispute remains before the Federal High Court in Akure, which recently reserved judgment in the matter.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Adeleye Samuel Ajibade, the organisation described as false and misleading social media claims suggesting that Ategbole had abandoned the case or commenced campaigning for Adefarati.
The campaign specifically referred to a post attributed to Prince Daodu Edaloju Isaac, who questioned whether Ategbole was still pursuing the case and claimed that he had “started campaigning for Adefarati.” …. also alleged that the APC “owns both the court and the judge.”
The Ategbole campaign rejected the claims, insisting that its candidate remains fully committed to the legal process.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Ategbole remains firmly in court,” the statement said, describing reports of his withdrawal from the suit, abandonment of the case or support for Adefarati as “false” and “misleading.”
The organisation also responded to a separate comment attributed to Jide Ogbeye, identified as Adefarati’s spokesperson, who reportedly said: “Just stylishly be preparing your mind for a defeat. Your case lacks substance and cannot fly.”
According to the Ategbole campaign, such comments amount to prejudging a case that is still before the court.
It maintained that the determination of the merits of the case rests with the judiciary and should be based on the facts, evidence and applicable law presented before the court.
The campaign also rejected suggestions that the APC or any political party could control the judiciary, stressing the importance of judicial independence.
“We state clearly that we believe in the justice system of Nigeria,” the statement said. “The courts belong to the people and not to any individual or political party.”
Ategbole is challenging the APC’s decision to recognise Adefarati as its candidate following the party’s May 16, 2026 primary. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Akure, seeks, among other reliefs, a declaration that Ategbole was the lawful winner of the primary and an order directing the APC to issue him a Certificate of Return.
The campaign consequently appealed to its supporters and members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting the court’s decision.
It urged supporters to avoid confrontations and provocative exchanges on social media, while cautioning against spreading what it described as inaccurate information about the status of the case.
“Our position is simple: we believe in due process, we believe in the rule of law, and we believe that justice must take its proper course,” the statement added.
The organisation said it would continue to rely on the judicial process and expressed confidence that the dispute would ultimately be determined according to the law, facts and evidence presented before the court.
