Appeal Court returns PDP Assembly member

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan on has returned Honourable Qazeem Olayanju of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Irepo/Olorunsogo state constituency.

Olayanju, whose election was nullified by the Election Petition Tribunal in September was declared a winner at the Appeal on Friday against Honourable Azeez Ajibola of All Progressives Congress (APC).

The panel led by Justice N. Okonkwo upheld the appeal on the basis that the lower Tribunal based its judgement on hearsay evident RW11 who was an electoral officer of INEC in Irepo.

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The counsel to Honourable Qazeem, Tunji Ogunrinde said the evidence relied upon by APC was not demonstrated by the witness at the lower Tribunal.

Speaking after his victory, Olayanju commended the Court of Appeal for their unbiased justice and thanked PDP in Oyo state for their support.

He said: “Destiny can never be changed, this is the people’s mandate, they voted for me and I won the election, I don’t know what really happened at the Tribunal but today, Appeal Court ruled without bias.

“With what has happened, the opposition makes me stronger and more popular and I am calling them to join hands with us to develop our constituency for the betterment of our democracy.

“I’m telling my people that I will fulfil my campaign promise and to the admiration of all of us.”