2027 polls: Ekiti APC candidate dragged to court over non-resignation

ADO-EKITI — THE All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the Ekiti Central Federal Constituency II in the 2027 National Assembly election, Karounwi Oladapo, has been dragged to a Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti division, over his alleged failure to resign as the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development before contesting in the party’s primary election.

The suit, instituted by an aspirant in his Constituency, Victor Olumuyiwa Kolade, challenged Karounwi’s eligibility to contest the party’s primary on the grounds that he failed to resign his political appointment within the period prescribed by the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC Constitution.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Abiodun Owonikoko, announced his appearance, while Femi David represented the first defendant, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Adefolaju Ayobioyoloja appeared for the second defendant, the APC and Kolapo Kolade represented the third defendant, Karounwi Oladapo.

In his argument, Owonikoko told the court that the plaintiff’s case centred on the allegation that Karounwi remained a serving member of the Ekiti State Executive Council after participating in the APC primary election held on May 16, 2026.

The plaintiff’s counsel argued that the defendant ought to have resigned 30 days before the election, insisting that public records demonstrated that he remained a political appointee beyond the legally permissible period.

Owonikoko also argued that while Ogunleye’s name no longer appeared in official government publications and on the state government’s website, Karounwi’s name remained listed as a cabinet member as of May 29, 2026, indicating that he had not effectively resigned before the primary election.

In his response, counsel to the third defendant (Karounwi), Kolapo Kolade, argued that his client resigned his appointment more than 50 days before the conduct of the primary election, exceeding the minimum requirement of 30 days stipulated by law.

Meanwhile, counsel to the second defendant (APC), Adefolaju Ayobioyoloja, urged the court to dismiss the case for lack of substantial evidence, while counsel to the first defendant (INEC), Femi David, noted that the commission has no business in investigating whether Karounwi had resigned or not, saying INEC relies on the names forwarded to them as required by the party’s constitution.

In his ruling, Justice Musa Usman Abubakar adjourned the matter until September 21, 2026, for further proceedings.