The Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC in Ogun State, has taunted the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying it has failed and should be ready to test its diminished popularity at the polls.

Otegbeye and 23 others floored the APC and Labour Party at the Ibadan Division of the Appellate Court, Monday, following the cases brought against them by the parties.

Both APC and the LP had challenged the nomination of Otegbeye and 23 others as the governorship and House of Assembly candidates of the ADC before a Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The lower court had allowed the prayers of APC and LP and ordered the delisting of Otegbeye and others from the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The Ibadan Court of Appeal faulted the lower court for lack of jurisdiction and the merit of the case, saying both APC and LP were not parties to the primaries of the ADC and have no locus to challenge the outcome.

Otegbeye, while reacting to the unanimous judgement said the APC has run our of idea and thus, desperate to take the ADC out of the ballot using taxpayers’ money.

He said the agenda of the ADC is to fix the broken system in Ogun State, adding that the victory was not only for the Party but all indigens of the State who have endured painful period of the APC.

“It is clear that the ruling APC has run out of ideas and the needed justification to demand the people's mandate for a second term; hence the desperate effort, at taxpayers’ expense, to take us out of the ballot.

“Unfortunately, they have failed and must now be ready to test their much-diminished popularity and integrity at the polls.

“Our agenda over the next four years is to fix Ogun State and repair the broken systems. The ADC administration will create opportunities for all classes of people, restore the glory of the Gateway State, enhance the dignity of citizens and establish a culture of collective growth and shared prosperity.

“The victory at the Appeal Court today is therefore not just for us but for the good people of Ogun State who have been made to endure a most painful period under the governance of APC.

Otegbeye said his party complied with all extant provisions of the Electoral Act throughout the conduct of its primaries, adding that they were undaunted by the schemes of its traducers.

“While the appeal subsisted, we were undaunted by the schemes of our traducers and had no doubt of victory because we have fully complied with all extant provisions of the Electoral Act throughout the conduct of our primaries.

“Let us now prepare for this 2023 election by collecting our PVCs and be ready to exercise our democratic franchise.”