CLAIM: A Facebook page, EIEtv, has claimed that the Court of Appeal in Abuja has removed Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party’s candidate in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election.
FINDINGS: The NFC found several news reports from November 13 stating that the Court of Appeal had disqualified Ebiseni, despite the Federal High Court of Abuja ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the Labour Party’s (LP) candidate. The LP has, however, called the disqualification of its candidate a lie. Ebiseni, during an interview on Channels Television, says the governorship race is between his party and the All Progressives Congress (APC), suggesting his candidacy. However, in an updated list of candidates published by the INEC, the LP’s candidates’ names are marked in red with the remark “Court Order.” Tope Akanmu, the Assistant Director of Voters’ Education, INEC Ondo, refused to comment on whether Ebiseni remains the party’s flagbearer because it’s a judiciary matter. However, he noted that the ballot paper carries party logos, so the party remains part of the governorship race.
VERDICT: CORRECT
SOURCES: Daily Trust, PUNCH and INEC
DATE: 15/11/2024
FACTCHECK AUTHOR: Muktar Balogun
EDITORS: Simbiat Bakare