The Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has struck out a suit challenging the candidacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency I in the January 2027 House of Representatives election, Engr. Toyin Okoro.

The suit, filed by Bayo Babalotin, alleged that Okoro violated public service rules.In a judgment delivered in Suit No. FHC/AD/CS/19/2026, Justice Babs Kuewumi held that Babalotin lacked the legal standing, or locus standi, to institute the action against Okoro.

The court also struck out the name of the Ekiti State chapter of the APC as the third defendant, with the ruling covering both the state and national structures of the party.

Justice Kuewumi further held that Babalotin could not challenge the APC primary election because he did not participate in the exercise.

The dispute followed the APC primary for Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, where incumbent lawmaker and retired Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Ojuawo polled 1,842 votes against Okoro’s 9,798 votes.

The controversy later intensified after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) summoned and questioned Okoro over allegations of violating public service rules.

He was accused of operating a private company to obtain public contracts while serving as a senior legislative aide.

Speaking with journalists after the court proceedings, counsel to Okoro, Dr Femi Ogunlade, said the judgment was in favour of his client.

Ogunlade said the court affirmed that only an aspirant who participated in a party primary has the legal standing to challenge its conduct or outcome in court.

He said the principle was consistent with the provisions of Section 25 of the Constitution and the Electoral Act.The lawyer maintained that a person who did not participate in the primary could not challenge the validity or outcome of the exercise.