In a much-anticipated ruling, the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal is set to deliver its judgment today, Monday, concerning the petitions filed by opposition political parties challenging the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The verdict follows weeks of legal proceedings and deliberations. Governor Sanwo-Olu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured his victory in the gubernatorial election, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after amassing the highest number of votes.
However, the Labour Party (LP) and its governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, alongside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Olajide Adediran, commonly referred to as Jandor, launched petitions before the tribunal with the aim of overturning Sanwo-Olu’s triumph in the March 18 poll.
During the fiercely contested election, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who vied for a second term, emerged victorious with a resounding margin, outstripping Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party, who finished in second place.
The official results indicated that Sanwo-Olu amassed a staggering 762,134 votes, while Rhodes-Vivour garnered 312,329 votes. Meanwhile, Jide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, of the PDP lagged behind, securing a distant third place with 62,449 votes.
The dissatisfaction of the LP, the PDP, and their respective candidates with the election outcome led them to approach the tribunal, where they alleged various irregularities that, in their view, tainted the electoral process.
The legal battle reached a critical juncture on August 12 when the lawyers representing the parties involved presented their final written arguments before the tribunal.
Following these submissions, the Justice Arum Ashom-led panel announced over the weekend that the highly anticipated judgment would be delivered today, marking a significant moment in Lagos State’s political landscape.
The outcome of this tribunal decision will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of Lagos State. As the state holds its breath, residents, politicians, and observers eagerly await the tribunal’s verdict, which will determine whether Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s reelection will stand or face potential challenges. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.
