The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by Kenneth Imansuangbon seeking to disqualify Olumide Akpata as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming Edo State election on September 21.

In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Okon Abang, the court ruled that Imansuangbon did not follow the Labour Party’s internal conflict resolution process before filing the lawsuit. The court also deemed the case premature, citing that legal prerequisites had not been fulfilled.

The three-member panel further noted that Imansuangbon failed to provide evidence, such as the disputed results of the party’s primary election held on February 23, where he claimed victory.

Earlier, in June, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, had also dismissed a suit challenging Akpata’s nomination, stating that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to pursue the case.