The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has rejected the ruling of the election petition tribunal affirming the victory of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Rhodes-Vivour, in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, said the judges of the tribunal erred in law, adding that their judgment suggested that a clear constitutional provision in the electoral process has no meaning.

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He further expressed his readiness to proceed to the appeal court to seek redress.

The statement read, “Having carefully listened to the judgment of the Honourable Judges of the Tribunal, we believe they, like the learned jurist quoted above stated, have erred in law. The judgment of the Tribunal suggests, erroneously in our view, that a clear constitutional provision in the electoral process has no meaning.

“While the disappointment and concern that have arisen from this particular judgment may run deep, we would like to assure our teaming supporters that this verdict is certainly not the final word on the matter. It is just one step in a larger legal process.

“Our democracy is built on the principles of justice, accountability, and the rule of law, including an appeal process that exists to ensure that mistakes by judges are reviewed by appellate courts.

“The outcome at the Tribunal will not in any way diminish our faith and confidence in the Nigerian Judiciary, rather it will strengthen our resolve to keep working with other patriots to bring about a new set of empathetic leadership that will create economic opportunities for Lagosians to fully realise their God-given potentials.

“As we all know, democracy is the cornerstone of any free and just society. It is the voice of the people, and it is through this process that we express our will and choose the leaders who will guide our communities and our nation. Yet, it is also a process that demands our vigilance, our resilience, and our unyielding faith in its sanctity.

“The essence of democracy lies not only in our ability to vote but also in our capacity to defend the integrity of that vote. Consequently, our laws allow Governorship candidates to challenge the decisions of the Electoral Tribunals at the Court of Appeal, and up to the Supreme Court.

“In the light of this, my lawyers have been instructed to appeal this judgment, as we remain confident of getting substantial justice at the appellate courts.”

He also urged his supporters to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding while appreciating their support.

There is tension in Taraba State, especially among the political actors as the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Jalingo, the State capital, is set to deliver judgement.

The tribunal has finally slated September 30 to rule on the petition filed by the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, and its gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general election, Professor Sani Yahaya, against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Governor Agbu Kefas.

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NNPP and its guber candidate had dragged both the PDP and Governor Kefas to the tribunal on the ground that the election was marred by pockets of malpractices.

Yahaya prayed the tribunal to nullify the entire exercise and allow for a fresh governorship election in the state.

The date for the judgement is coming barely two weeks after both parties adopted their final written addresses before the tribunal chaired by Justice G.A Sunmonu.

Some persons, especially from the PDP camp who spoke with our reporter, said they have every reason to be anxious about the coming judgement.

The party’s spokesperson, Andeta’rang Irammae, said, “there is anxiety because of the current trends of dispensing justice in Nigeria.

“There is every reason to be anxious, but we are prayerful and we believe God will see us through.”

On their part, some members of the NNPP also confirmed that there is anxiety in the party’s camp.

The national assembly election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu on Wednesday struck out the petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Ada Ogbu challenging the declaration and return of Senator Sir. Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had declared Senator Chukwu winner of the march 18 election for Enugu East Senatorial Zone after he garnerd a total of 69,487 votes to defeat his closest rival who was also Enugu former governor, Chimaroke Nnamani of the PDP.

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Ada Ogbu, candidate of the APC who came distant third in the election is alleging non compliance with the electoral act, 2022.

Delivering her judgment on the petition, the three man tribunal agreed that the issue of nomination is a pre-election matter which the court has no jurisdiction to entertain.

Daily Gazette correspondent reports that the court further ruled that the Petitioners couldn’t prove their case as it was grossly incompetent and vague.

It however struck out all the grounds of the petition and subsequently dismissed same for lacking in merit.

The national assembly election petitions tribunal sitting in Enugu has struck out the suit filed by Chimaroke Nnamani, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the victory of Senator Kelvin Chukwu.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Chukwu, candidate of the Labour Party (LP) as the winner of the Enugu East Senatorial district poll after he secured over 69,000 votes to defeat former governor of Enugu state, Chimaroke Nnamani who got about 49,000 votes.

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However, Nnamani had alleged that the election was marred by over-voting, irregularities, election malpractices and non-compliance with the electoral guidelines.

The founder of the Ebeano political family also urged the court to declare him the rightful winner of the election or declare as invalid the results of the polls.

Delivering its ruling on Wednesday, the tribunal upheld Senator Kelvin Chukwu’s victory.

The tribunal also awarded a cost of N500,000 against the petitioners in favour of the three respondents, Kelvin Chukwu, Labour Party and INEC.

The three man honourable Justices unanimously dismissed the petition for being vague, lacking in merit, incompetent, generic and academic exercise.

Ondo state deputy governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has finally been served the allegation letter of alleged gross misconduct.

Aiyedatiwa was expected to respond to the letter within seven days.

Recall that the assembly directed the Clerk to write the deputy governor over the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against him while he held sway as the acting governor of the state.

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Some members of the assembly have petitioned the deputy governor over the allegation of gross misconduct.

lt was alleged that Aiyedatiwa reportedly approved N300 million for the purchase of a bulletproof SUV for his personal use.

Recall that the governor travelled to Germany for medical treatment for three months.

Aiyedatiwa was alleged to have ordered the N300 million to be sourced from the Palliative fund, which was from the Federal government to the state in order to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

But Aiyedatiwa has since denied the allegation, describing it as a fabricated lies.

However, vanguard gathered that the letter was received in his office at exactly 316pm today( Monday) after several days of evading service.

Reports had it that members of staff of his office refused to collect the allegation letter from the Clerk of the House, Jaiyeola Benjamin saying they were acting on instructions.

However, Aiyedatiwa, had this morning in a statement, said that he was yet to receive the letter.

According to him ” It is pertinent to put on record that as of today, Monday, September 25, 2023, I have not received any official communication or any “letter of allegations of gross misconduct” from the Ondo State House of Assembly.

“I find it especially worrying that the spokesman of the House of Assembly would go on national television to speak on such a matter without any evidence to show that such letter has been delivered to me. More disturbing is the fact that even when he was asked if the letter had been delivered, he gave no coherent answer.

“A sensitive constitutional matter of this nature; the impeachment process should not be conducted on the pages of newspapers and television screens.

“In effect, I reiterate that if such “letter of allegations of gross misconduct” against me exists, I have not seen it and I have not been served. I therefore urge Mr. Speaker, The Honourable Chief Judge of Ondo State and members of the public to take note.

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