Court Upholds Toyin Okoro's APC Candidacy in Ekiti

On October 7, 2026, a Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, presided over by Justice Babs Kuewumi, struck out a suit filed by Babalotin Bayo that sought to nullify Toyin Okoro's nomination as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency 1 in the upcoming 2027 House of Representatives election. The court ruled that Bayo lacked legal standing to challenge the primary election outcome, labeling him a “meddlesome interloper” and a “busybody.” Justice Kuewumi emphasized that only aspirants who participated in the primary have the right to contest its results, as per Section 285 of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.

The judge also noted that the Ekiti State chapter of the APC could not be sued independently of the national body, leading to its removal from the suit. Okoro, who won the party's primary in May 2026 against incumbent AVM Rufus Ojuawo (retd.), was confirmed as the candidate by the APC's National Working Committee.

Reactions from Okoro's legal team and community leaders indicated strong support for his candidacy.