Tribunal dismisses Ogun PDP counsel’s petition, confirms 5 APC candidates
The National Assembly Petition Tribunal has passed a verdict on the victory of five candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that were being trialed at the Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The judgement came 24 hours after the Presidential Election Petition Court struck out appeals on President Bola Tinubu’s election victory by the same PDP and reaffirmed his validity as the elected president.
The winning APC National Assembly members are Senator Solomon Adeola of Ogun West Senatorial District, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim of Ewekoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Ishiaq Akinlade of Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, Hon. Afolabi Afuape of Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, and Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka of Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency.
The report said: “Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, elected as Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District won against the petitioners, as his election was adjudged credible and in compliance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022. In the suit EPT/OG/SEN/02/2023, Dada Ganiyu Adeleke & Anor v. INEC & 2 Ors, apart from being dismissed, are the petitioners were also fined N500,000 each.
“Other APC National Assembly members who won theirs suits at the Tribunal on Thursday include Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, Ewekoro Federal Constituency, in suit EPT/OG/HR/08/2023 Akala Simon Oluwole v. INEC & 2 Ors; Hon. Ishiaq Akinlade of Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency constituency in suit EPT/OG/HR/06/2023 Hosu Emmanuel Adeniyi & Anor. v. INEC & 2 Ors; Hon. Afolabi Afuape of Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, in suit EPT/OG/HR/10/2023 Eweje Titus Olusoji & Anor v. INEC & 2 Ors.; and Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka of Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency in suit EPT/OG/HR/10/2023 Eweje Titus Olusoji & Anor v. INEC & 2 Ors.
“The Justice Kabir Dabo–led three-man panel dismissed Adeleke’s petition for “lacking in merit” and affirmed Senator Adeola of the All Progressives Congress as the validly elected lawmaker for Ogun West as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
In the case of Hon. Afuape, just like others, the Tribunal in its ruling, delivered by Hon. Justice K. Dabo, the chairman of the tribunal, and concurred to by the other members, Hon. Justice C. K. Okereke and Hon. Justice Dr. O. David Gbasam, the petition filed by the (PDP) and its candidate, Toyin Amuzu, was dismissed and described as “frivolous, unmeritorious, and devoid of substance.” N500,000 was awarded against the petitioners.
“All the other petitions were similarly thrown out on jurisdictional and substantive grounds thereby solidifying the emergence of the APC’s candidates. With these decisions, the perceived uncertainty as to the electoral victory of the APC has been put to rest and will remain so, unless any contrary decision is reached on appeal.