The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the appeal filed by Oluwasegun Adebayo, challenging the candidacy of Tunji Olawuyi as the authentic representative of APC for Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke-ero federal constituency of Kwara.

A five-man panel of justices led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun affirmed the candidacy of Mr Olawuyi, currently representing the constituency.

Mr Kekere-Ekun dismissed the appeal for having filled out of time and therefore is statute-barred.

Mr Adebayo, who had challenged the candidacy of Mr Olawuyi, was seeking to be recognised as the duly elected candidate of the party.

Adebayo Afeez, the defendant’s counsel, spoke after the case and said the appeal was a defect in the originating summon and was subsequently dismissed.

He said that the name of Mr Olawuyi on the INEC list remains the recognised candidate by the party.

In his reaction, Mr Olawuyi described the ruling as a no victor, no vanquish while commending Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the APC leadership in Kwara.

He commended the doggedness of Mr Adebayo, describing him as a fighter, urging him to bury the hatchet and join hands with APC to ensure victory in the February 25 elections.

(NAN)