We provide Instant breaking news alerts and information about the day's most talked-about stories around Nigeria, Africa and the world trending news.
Tribunal orders election rerun in Eti Osa Federal Constituency
Tribunal orders election rerun in Eti Osa Federal Constituency
The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, convening at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos State, has rendered a judgment invalidating Thaddeus Atta’s election victory, representing Eti Osa Federal Constituency on the platform of the Labour Party.
In a late-night ruling delivered on Monday, the tribunal declared the elections inconclusive and instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days in all polling units where voting did not occur.
Bankole Wellington, a renowned Nigerian singer and actor, widely known as Banky W, contested as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and was declared the runner-up in the February 2023 election. The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro, also filed a petition challenging the election results.
The electoral body had initially declared Thaddeus Atta as the winner with 24,075 votes, while Banky W and Obanikoro garnered 18,668 and 16,901 votes, respectively.
Ibrahim Obanikoro, the APC candidate, took to his official Instagram handle (@repibrahimobanikoro) on Tuesday morning to confirm the tribunal’s decision and express his appreciation to the judges for delivering a ruling in accordance with constitutional principles.
Related Posts
Read Also: Tribunal dismisses LP, Obi’s petition on 25% votes in FCT
He stated, “It was all smiles at the tribunal court when it was confirmed that there would be a supplementary election in several polling units under the Eti-Osa Federal constituency where the election did not take place. I believe that our justice system is on the right track, and I praise the judges for this ruling which adheres to the components of the Constitution. Work starts now.”
He further updated his Instagram story, saying, “The Feb 25 election has just been rightly declared inconclusive and supplementary elections have been ordered by the court. INEC has been ordered to withdraw the return certificate and conduct elections in areas where it didn’t hold on Election Day.”
Thaddeus Atta of the Labour Party, responding through his Instagram handle (@_JtAtta) on Tuesday morning, clarified that he was not removed from office and emphasized that there is “No cause for alarm.”
He stated, “I am here to clarify that I was not sacked. The Tribunal has simply ordered a re-run (supplementary election) in the 32 polling units where elections did not hold. We will continue working for Eti-osa. I urge constituents to keep calm as we are unshaken. We will get through this together.”
Banky W, in a post on his verified Instagram handle on Monday night, wrote, “It is possible. Still,” in response to the tribunal’s decision.
