REPORT: Read details of how tribunal nullifies election of three PDP lawmakers from Osun in one-day, orders rerun

The election petition tribunal sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has nullified elections of three People Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in Osun State as a result of proven malpractices, over voting and noncompliance with the electoral law.

In a ruling delivered in Osogbo by the election tribunal chaired by Eyo Ita, the tribunal ordered fresh elections in some selected polling units where the petitioners proved their petitions beyond a reasonable doubt.

The three seats are the house of representatives of Ede federal constituency, the Ede North State Constituency and Obokun State State Constituency.

In the case of Ede Federal constituency, Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello, a former speaker of Osun State House of Assembly of APC had challenged the declaration of his former political associate, Hon. Bamidele Salam of PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission as the winner of the seat of House of Representatives for the federal constituency in the last general elections.

The tribunal, however, found merit in the case of the petitioner and ordered rerun in twelve polling units across all the four local governments of the federal constituency.

In the same vein, the tribunal sacked the PDP member representing Ede North State constituency, Hon. Babjide Kofoworola and ordered rerun in twelve polling units having been challenged by Barrister Daud Akinloye of the APC.

The tribunal also gave judgment on the Obokun State Constituency election between Olatunbosin Oyintiloye of APC and Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi of the PDP, the tribunal faulted the election of the PDP candidate and ordered rerun in four polling units.

Meanwhile, the court dismissed the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Ifelodun State constituency, Barrister Hazim Abioye challenging the victory of Hon. Abiola Molikat over allegation of non-resignation from the public service as required by law before her election.

The tribunal found that Hon. Abiola Mulikat had resigned three months before the election hence she was qualified for the election and awarded the sum of two hundred thousand naira against the petitioner which was directed to be paid to the respondent to bear the cost she has incurred in the course of the legal tussle.

While reacting to the judgment of the Tribunal, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in House of Representatives election for Ede Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Adejare Bello gave glory to Almighty Allah for his victory at the tribunal.

He commended the judges for their braveness and for correcting the wrongs that accompanied the February 23 National Assembly election.

The Osun former speaker appreciated the Governor of the State, Gboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and all leaders of the party in Osun including members of the party for their prayers and support.

He said if the respondent fails to appeal the judgment, he would approach the appellate court to challenge the result of the eight polling units.

In his own reaction, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Bamidele Salam, who currently occupies the position of Ede Federal Constituency at the green chamber said he was not moved by the tribunal judgment, he assured that he would continue to deliver the dividend of democracy to his constituents.

In his words, “we are not dismayed, however, because the mandate as freely given to me by the people and stamped by God, cannot be stolen by any man. Our victory at the February 23 House of Representatives poll is sacrosanct and this minor setback will only sweeten the taste of victory in our mouths.”

“My legal team will study the details of this judgment and decide the necessary course of action on it. We are focused and will not lose sight of the goals we have set for service delivery to our constituents”, he concluded.