25 petitions filed before Lagos Election Tribunal by aggrieved parties

By Adenike Ayodele

Ikeja, March 23, 2023

Aggrieved parties have so far filed 25 petitions before the Lagos State National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the petitions were pasted on the wall of the Rosaline Omotosho Courthouse Ikeja, venue of the Tribunal’s sitting.

In one of the petitions, the candidates of the Labour Party for Federal House of Assembly in about seven constituencies in Lagos are challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the declared winners of each constituency.

The candidates in their various constituencies are challenging the winners of Oshodi Isolo, Kosofe , Lagos Mainland, Surulere, Shomolu, Mushin and Ikorodu.

In their petitions filed by their counsel, Wakeel Olawale-Liady, the petitioners are challenging the INEC for non- compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

They allege that INEC unlawfully excluded them from the election held on February 25 for the National Assembly, House of Representatives.

However, in the petition filed by Mr. Adeola Adebanjo and the Labour Party against the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the petitioner alleged that INEC failed to comply with the provisions of the law.

For Ikeja Federal Constituency, Mutiu Okunola and his party (LP) are challenging the declaration of James Faleke as winner of the election on the grounds that the election was invalid for non-compliance with the provisions of the Act.

He prayed the court for a declaration that the election conducted by INEC in respect of the constituency seat held on Feb. 25, was marred by substantial irregularities and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and guidelines.

He also prayed the court to nullify the election and order a fresh one.