Ondo commissioner sues 35 APC elders over publication

The Ondo State Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowunmi Isaac, and another individual, Kunle Odide, have initiated legal proceedings against 35 elders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state High Court in Akure. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants published content in a national newspaper in February 2026 that amounted to defamation. The claimants are seeking compensation of N5 billion and an order compelling the defendants to issue public apologies in three major national dailies. The case came before the court on Tuesday, with the first defendant, Mr Kola Olawoye, appearing alongside seven other individuals. Lawyers represented the remaining 28 elders. Olawoye stated that the 35 defendants are APC leaders and elders from Owo Local Government Area. They argued that the court lacked jurisdiction and questioned the validity of the claims brought by the commissioners. During the hearing, the court, presided over by Justice Yemi Fasanmi, ruled in favor of the defendants, awarding each of them N100,000 in legal costs, totaling N3.5 million. The matter has been adjourned until October 8, 2026. Olawoye explained that the core of the claimant's action stemmed from a letter he wrote to the national chairman of the APC. He emphasized that the letter was sent directly to the national leadership and was not intended for public dissemination. According to him, the purpose of the communication was to bring to the attention of the party's top officials certain unusual developments within the APC in their local government area. He stressed that such actions are protected under the law and that there was no intent to harm the reputations of the claimants. Despite these assertions, the claimants' lawyer, Mr Olaoluwa Imoru, maintained that the publication in question was highly damaging. He described the content as extremely defamatory, disparaging, and unnecessary, and sought both general and special damages for the alleged harm to the claimants' reputations. Imoru clarified that the commissioner in question was an appointee of the governor and thus subordinate to him, reinforcing that she could not exercise authority over the governor. The legal battle highlights ongoing tensions within the APC, particularly in the context of upcoming elections. Olawoye expressed a desire for resolution outside the courtroom, noting that attempts to reach an agreement had been made through informal channels. However, these efforts have not yielded results. He reiterated the importance of unity ahead of the presidential election, emphasizing that the collective goal is to ensure the success of the current president, Bola Tinubu. The case underscores the complexities of political dynamics in Nigerian politics, where personal grievances can escalate into legal confrontations. As the court date approaches, all parties remain poised for further developments. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for how political figures navigate disputes within their parties. For now, the focus remains on the legal procedures and the potential impact on the political landscape.