The Lagos State Governorship Election Tribunal has stamped the victory of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the governor of Lagos state.
The Tribunal affirmed his election after dismissing the petition of the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, who challenged the return of Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat.
Justice Mikhail Abdullahi held that Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Hamzat, were qualified to contest the March 18, 2023, governorship election in the state under section 177 of the Constitution.
The judge noted that they are members of political parties and educated up to school certificate level.
Section 177 of the constitution stipulated that “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if
(a) he is a citizen of Nigeria by birth;
(b) he has attained the age of thirty-five years;
(c) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and
(d) he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
“We have considered the evidence before this court. He has the highest number of votes. This petition is dead on arrival.”
“Given the evidence adduced before the court, the grounds on which the petitioner is seeking disqualification of 2nd and 3rd respondents lack merit.
“I have found Gov Sanwo-Olu and deputy, Dr Hamzat duly elected and therefore declared them winner.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress winner of the governorship election.
He polled 762,134 votes to beat Mr Rhodes-Vivour, who scored 312,329 votes. Jide Adediran came a distant third, polling 62,449 votes.
