On November 10, 2024, an X user, @adabanpegede asked a question on the platform, “No LP candidate in Ondo Election?” This question was accompanied by a picture of Peter Obi with the inscription, ‘Na so I go labour vain.’
The claim has since garnered about 1,000 views, 6 replies, 41 likes, 12 reposts and quotes.
Under the post, @Adoskol_W commented, “They’re still searching 😳” while @Confidence24 also replied saying, “I don’t think so because no too much noise about Ondo election from them like that of Edo that they failed woefully.”
Another X user, @olawalemurital3 reacted on the post saying, “After election they we start blaming INEC chairman calling him all shot of name” and @jide_Omiyale also said, “Nobody will follow LP in Ondo state cos that was the first place LP produced a gov. Dr. Olusegun Mimiko who later abandoned them for PDP, same thing Obi did to APGA. Better not to have a candidate from d party in Ondo cos na joke Dem go take am do. LP ke, oblivion party in Ondo.”
Considering the scepticism displayed under the question posted by @adabanpegede, it is important to confirm whether the Labour Party has a candidate in the gubernatorial election slated for this week, November 16.
VERIFICATION
NV-A conducted a keyword search and found that the Labour party has a gubernatorial candidate for Ondo election.
The fact-checker found a statement from the Labour party’s national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh released a statement, declaring Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi as the flag bearer in the Ondo State governorship election on August 14.
“The Labour Party in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh said that Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi emerged as its flag bearer in the Ondo state governorship election after its primaries held in Akure in June,” the statement reads.
However, a Federal High Court judgement from September 27 mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude, as the Governorship and deputy governorship candidates in the upcoming election.
Currently, Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni is the flag bearer of the party for Saturday’s election. However, The Vanguard reported that Ebiseni was excluded from the gubernatorial debate organised by Channels Television on November 3, 2024.
CONCLUSION
The claim that the Labour Party does not have a gubernatorial candidate in the Ondo election is MISLEADING. Findings show that Court declared Ebiseni as Labour party’s flag bearer for the Ondo Gubernatorial election .
By Umoh Umoh Etop
