The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Oyo State ordered a rerun election for the Saki West state constituency on Thursday in Ibadan.
INEC had earlier declared Mr Shittu Ibrahim of the All Peoples Congress (APC) the winner of the election held on March 18.
It declared that Ibrahim scored 13,692 votes to defeat the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Julius Okedoyin, who scored 13,422 votes.
Dissatisfied with the declaration, Okedoyin and the PDP headed to the tribunal, alleging over-voting, irregularity, and non-compliance with electoral guidelines.
Delivering a unanimous ruling of the three-man panel, its chairman, Justice Jubril Anaja, held that the petition had merit and that the petitioners proved their allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
Anaja ruled that the cancellation of results from Ward 6 Unit 7 and Ward 11 Unit 19 of the constituency, with 1,285 voter cards collected, could substantially affect the outcome of the election.
The tribunal noted that whereas the declared winner led the petitioner by 270 votes in Ward 6, Unit 7, and Ward 11, Unit 19, the number of voters disenfranchised was more than 1,000.
It held that the more than 1,000 voters disenfranchised by INEC in the affected wards might have overturned the result if they were allowed to vote.
“The certificate of return issued to the first respondent (Ibrahim) by INEC is hereby set aside pending the re-run election to determine the winner of the election for the Saki West constituency.
“INEC is hereby ordered to conduct a re-run election in Ward 6, Unit 7, and Ward 11, Unit 19 within 90 days,’’ Anaja declared.
Reacting, Ibrahim’s counsel, Mr Sikiru Adewoye, said his client would appeal against the judgement of the tribunal.
Conversely, the petitioners’ counsel, Mr. Yusuf Ogunrinde, commended the tribunal.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
36 states get N1.51trn allocation in six months, says NEITI
34.5 per cent of the total N4.37 trillion crude oil revenue amounting to N1.51 trillion was shared among the 36 states of the federation between…
Inside Lagos Blue Rail Line train where comfort, pleasure, pain meet
In this report, Saturday Tribune’s TOLA ADENUBI joined the train ride from Mile 2 to…
Leaked s3x video shared without my consent, I’ll take legal action — Moyo Lawal
Popular Nollywood actress, Moyo Lawal, has finally broken the silence over her leaked sex video going viral on…
Why I visited K1 in Ijebu —Osupa
Fuji music star, Saheed Osupa, may have taken a bold step that may finally put an end to the age-long feud between…
#BBNaijaAllStars: Seyi names worst dressed housemates
Evicted Big Brother Naija ‘All Stars’ housemate, Seyi Awolowo, has revealed two housemates that are worst dressed in…
UFC: ‘I hate losing, but…’, Adesanya breaks silence after shocking defeat
Nigerian-born New Zealand fighter Israel Adesanya has finally broken his silence over his shocking belt loss to…
OGUN State, widely acknowledged as Nigeria’s Industrial Capital, is charting a bold and…
THE Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), United Kingdom chapter, and a renowned cleric, Ahmad Olaoti-Olore, have attributed…
As a long-time advocate for stringent drug laws and a tireless campaigner against trafficking, I…
THE issue of affordable housing remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, particularly in rapidly urbanizing…
RECENTLY, the Edo State governor, Mr Monday Okpebholo, declared that kidnappers caught in the state…
Who should rightly use the title Dr? This question has sparked intense debates…
This website uses cookies.