Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been confirmed as the authentic winner of the March 18 gubernatorial election in the state by the Lagos State governorship election petition tribunal today, Monday September, 25.
Justice Mikhail Abdullah affirmed Sanwo-Olu’s victory while dismissing the petitions of governorship candidates of the Labour Party, LP, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, GRV, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olajide Adediran.
GRV and Adediran filed separate petitions to contest the outcome of the last governorship election in the state.
The tribunal headed by Justice Abdullah dismissed the petitions.
The judge noted that they are members of political parties and educated up to school certificate level.
Section 177 of the constitution stipulated that “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if
a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth;
(b) he has attained the age of thirty-five years;
(c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and
d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
“We have considered the evidence before this court. He has the highest number of votes. This petition is dead on arrival.”
“Given the evidence adduced before the court, the grounds on which the petitioner is seeking disqualification of 2nd and 3rd respondents lack merit.
“I have found Gov Sanwo-Olu and deputy, Dr Hamzat duly elected and therefore declared them winner.”
Similarly, justice Arum Ashom and Justice Igho Braimoh aligned with the judgment
Earlier, the Tribunal had struck out the application of Jandor, who was seeking a disqualification of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s candidature.