The National/State Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, Monday upheld the election of Lanre Okunlola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the member representing Surulere Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives following the February 25 general elections.
The tribunal, in a unanimous decision, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Olatunji Abiola Shoyinka challenging Okunlola’s victory.
It agreed with Okunlola’s counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), that Shoyinka’s petition failed and ought to be dismissed.
The tribunal granted the senior lawyer’s prayer and awarded a punitive cost of N200,000 against Shoyinka, and in favour of Okunlola and the APC.
Shoyinka and the PDP are 1st and 2nd petitioners in the petition marked EPT/LAG/HR/03/2023.
Okunlola, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents.
The petitioners, through their counsel C. A. Abengowe, had by a March 16 petition challenged Okunlola’s victory on two grounds.
Firstly, they alleged that the election was invalid because of corrupt, illegal and wrongful practice perpetuated by INEC in connivance with Okunlola and the APC through falsification, manipulation, and forgery of results done by the 3rd Respondent (INEC).
Secondly, they argued that the election was invalid because of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
They prayed the tribunal for an order setting aside the results of the several polling units won by the APC, alleging that same were not returned in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
