By Omobolaji Adekunle
A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta has declared Otunba Jimi Adebisi Lawal as the authentic governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Ogun State governorship election, bringing an end to the party’s prolonged leadership crisis.
Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Justice Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi ruled that the primary election that produced Lawal complied fully with the Electoral Act and the constitution of the ADC.
The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Lawal as the party’s validly nominated candidate and reflect his name in its official records.
The suit, marked FHC/AB/CS/97/2026, arose from parallel governorship primaries conducted by rival factions within the party.
Justice Adeyemi held that the primary producing Lawal was validly conducted and duly monitored by INEC, making it the sole lawful primary recognized under the law.
Reacting to the judgment, Ogun State ADC Chairman, Femi Soluade, described the verdict as a victory for democracy and called on party members to embrace reconciliation.
He noted that the ruling had resolved the lingering dispute over the party’s governorship ticket, adding that leadership would immediately commence efforts to reunite aggrieved members.
“There is no victor and no vanquished. Those on the other side remain our brothers and sisters. Our focus now is to rebuild the party, strengthen our structures, and prepare for the governorship election,” Soluade said.
Soluade expressed confidence that the ADC would emerge stronger following the judgment, stating that the legal dispute had merely delayed, rather than derailed, its preparations.
Welcoming the judgment, Lawal described the decision as a triumph of justice.
“I won the primary on merit, but what was a landslide victory became the subject of dispute. I appreciate the judiciary for ensuring that justice prevailed. We cannot afford to remain divided. This victory belongs to every member of the ADC, and I remain ready to work with all stakeholders in the interest of the party and Ogun State,” Lawal said.