Court strikes out Oyefusi’s case against Rhodes-Vivour, ADC
A Federal High court in Lagos has struck out the case filed by Princess Abiodun Islamiyat Oyefusi against Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over issues arising from the party’s Lagos governorship primary.
The court, relying on the recent position of the Supreme Court on disputes concerning the internal affairs of political parties, held that the issues raised in the suit were matters within the internal domain of the ADC.
The court consequently struck out the case.
The development follows the dispute that arose after the ADC’s Lagos governorship primary, which produced Rhodes-Vivour as the party’s candidate. Oyefusi had challenged the outcome of the exercise, alleging that votes credited to her were improperly transferred during the collation of the results. Her legal representatives subsequently approached the court seeking redress.
The latest ruling is consistent with the Supreme Court’s established position that, as a general principle, disputes relating to the internal affairs of political parties fall within the parties’ own domain and are generally not matters for judicial determination. The Electoral Act 2026 has also expressly addressed the jurisdiction of courts over internal party affairs.
Reacting to the ruling, Rhodes Vivour called for unity and focus, urging that such unnecessary distractions are unwarranted. “Our focus is on delivering a Lagos that works for all and to salvage our Lagos from cronyism corruption and ineptitude. Hence I reiterate my call for party unity so we can all work together to defeat the APC. Dragging cases in court, quite frankly, is unnecessary and distracting, Rhodes Vivour said.