Tribunal Affirms Sanwo-Olu As Lagos State Governor

The Lagos Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has dismissed the petitions brought by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and the Labour Party, and Olajide Adediran also known as Jandor of the People’s Democratic Party.

They both challenged the victory of Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the March 18 governorship election.

The tribunal held that evidence before it showed that the petition lacked merit.

Adediran had contended that Sanwo-Olu was wrongfully nominated and sponsored by his party, the All Progressives Party, APC and therefore, was not qualified for the election.

However, Justice Mikail Abdullahi, while reading the tribunal’s decision on the matter, held that the position did not form part of the grounds for disqualification for election into the office of a governor, under Sections 177 and 182 of the Nigerian Constitution.

The tribunal also declared that it had no powers to inquire into the primary election of the APC which produced Sanwo-Olu, stating that the issue was a pre-election matter which did not fall under its jurisdiction.

“Only an aspirant or member of a political party can complain about the outcome of the party’s primary election, not a busybody like the petitioner,” Abdullahi held.

Abdullahi said: “The second respondent has the highest number of votes, this petition is dead on arrival.

“In view  of the evidence adduced before this tribunal, the grounds on which the petitioner is seeking the disqualification of the second and third respondents (Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat) lacks merit.

“Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat are eminently eligible to contest under Section  177 of the Constitution  as they are members of a political party and educated up to school certificate level.

“In view of the evidence before  the tribunal, I have found Gov. Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Hamzat, duly elected, and I therefore declare them winner of the March 18 governorship poll.”

The tribunal will also deliver judgment in a petition filed by Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the  Labour Party Governorship Candidate for Lagos State.

NAN/Confidence Okwuchi