Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, who contested as the Lagos PDP Gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections, has strongly rejected the verdict of the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the victory of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the governor.
Adediran had vehemently argued that Sanwo-Olu’s nomination and sponsorship by the All Progressives Congress (APC) were irregular and that he was not qualified for the election. On Monday, the Tribunal dismissed Jandor’s case, citing a lack of merit in the claims.
In response, Adediran released a statement expressing his dissatisfaction with the ruling delivered by Justice Arum Ashom-led 3-man tribunal. He stated, “It is quite unfortunate that the tribunal in its wisdom refused to accept the credible and convincing evidence presented by his legal team on the non-qualifications of the APC and the Labour Party candidates in the election,”
Adediran contended that the tribunal’s decision did not align with the provisions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution and the Electoral Act of 2022, particularly concerning the qualifications of election candidates.
However, he reassured the residents of Lagos that the Lagos PDP would thoroughly review the judgment and decide on their next course of action. He emphasized, “This is not the end of the electoral process; it is just another stage. We will study the judgment and make decisions in the best interest of Lagos residents.”
Likewise, the Lagos State PDP announced that the party would develop a strategy after a thorough examination of the tribunal’s ruling.
Alhaji Hakeem Amode, the PDP’s Publicity Secretary for Lagos State, issued a statement affirming that the party would determine its next steps upon receiving the Certified True Copy of the judgment.
Amode urged loyal supporters to remain calm and refrain from activities that could disrupt the peace and order of society. He reiterated the party’s commitment to conducting a meticulous review of the judgment and subsequently issuing precise directives to its legal team.
“The principles of democracy are at the heart of our party’s values, and we are committed to promoting an inclusive society that serves the interests of all citizens. We firmly believe that the appropriate avenue for addressing our concerns is through the legal process,” Amode emphasized.
He further asserted the party’s unwavering dedication to pursuing the case until it reached a just and lawful resolution. “Our party remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the people to the fullest extent should the opportunity arise,” Amode concluded.
The aftermath of this tribunal ruling is expected to reverberate through the Lagos political landscape, with both the PDP and APC closely watching for further developments.
