THE election petition tribunal sitting in Ibadan has annulled the election of member representing Atiba Constituency, in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Gbenga Oyekola of the Labour Party.
The tribunal, in a unanimous judgment read by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, declared that Oyekola was not duly elected after cancelling the results of election in some polling units in Ward 8, 9 and 10 of the constituency, a development that left the APC’s candidate with 9,485 votes as against the LP candidate’s 9,416 votes.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, ruling in a petition filed by Mr Ganiyu Waliu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), outrightly cancelled the election of Gbenga Oyekola, noting that the court discovered that April 11 election in the constituency was conducted in non-compliance to stipulations of the electoral act and was fraught with corrupt practices.
Waliu, the immediate past member representing the constituency, had contested election in seven units out of 108 units in the constituency, alleging irregularities and electoral malpractices.
Justice Taiwo, consequently declared Ganiyu Waliu winner of the election.
Reacting, lead counsel for the first respondent, Joshua Olaniyan, had said Oyekola was set to appeal the judgment.
He expressed disbelief in the court’s judgment, noting that Oyekola would file for stay of execution.
However, the election of Minority Leader of the House, Honourable Joshua Olagunju Ojo of the Labour Party (LP), challenged by Mr Kehinde Atanda of the APC was upheld.
Olagunju, member representing Oriire constituency, polled 7,978 votes, while Atanda had 7,159 votes.
The petitioner, Kehinde Atanda, had alleged that the election was marred by mass rigging and other electoral irregularities.
Justice Tanko Yusuf, having considered their arguments struck out the Atanda’s petition for lack of proof.
However, the election of member, representing Orelope constituency, Honourable Gideon Aremu’s on the platform of the Labour Party was upheld.
Justice Taiwo struck out the petition of Yisau Adesope Azeez of the APC against Honourable Aremu’s election for lack of merit.
Also, the election of Honourable Akinmoyede Olafioye, Lagelu constituency, on APC platform was upheld. The court dismissed the petition of Mr Amos Oladejo of the Accord Party for lack of merit.
In another ruling, Justice Tanko Yusuf Usman also ruled in favour of member representing Akinyele II constituency, on the platform of APC, Honourable Bolaji Badmus.
Justice Usman struck out the petition filed by Deji Badru of Accord Party for lack of proof.
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