Dapo Abiodun The news gaining entrance into the public space about the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which is currently at the Appellate stage claims the Court of Appeal has sacked Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
Unfortunately, the claim is being propagated by the supporters of a party in the case, and the Court of Appeal judgment is far from the claim.
The Round Table learned from reliable sources in the court that the Appeal Court gave a dissenting judgment on the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, and it is not yet Uhuru for any of the parties at the court.
Our source claimed that the Court of Appeal, in its dissenting judgment, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in 99 polling units. The Court did not, however, talk about who won the election in its judgment.
Besides, it is still not clear yet if the judgment that called for a rerun election at some Polling Units in Ogun State is a minority judgment or otherwise.
Above all, going by previous judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal, dissenting judgment is usually de odede by the Supreme Court with no opportunity for any party in the suit to lay claim to victory.
Most importantly, a dissenting judgment always had bother parties approaching the Supreme as both plaintiffs and defendants as they may be required to cross-appeal the judge by the Appeal Court.
Ladipupo Adebutu, the candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 2023 Ogun State Governorship Election filed his petition before the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal asking the court to order INEC to conduct a rerun election in 99 polling units with a voting capacity of about 49,000 registered voters cutting across 41 wards and 16 Local Government Areas of the state. Recall that Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared by the INEC as the winner of the election with a vote margin of 13,915, and the Tribunal ruled in favor of Dapo Abiodun citing the failure of the petitioner to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Update
A recent report shows that the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos State has upheld the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Tribunal.
Reacting to the judgment, Gov Dapo Abiodun thanked the people of Ogun State for their commitment and support.
He wrote on his Twitter handle, "Dear citizens and residents of Ogun State, I sincerely wish to convey my deepest appreciation for your unwavering support throughout our journey. Today's triumph at the Court of Appeal not only validates the authenticity of the mandate you bestowed upon us during the last governorship election but also demonstrates the strength of our unity.
"Our administration remains committed to the advancement and socioeconomic growth of the Gateway State. Through our Building Our Future Together Agenda and #ISEYA mantra, we will tirelessly strive for the betterment of every individual living and working across this great state, ensuring prosperity for all
Category: World-News
Tag: Dapo Abiodun Ogun
Written by Omooba Alekuwodo (omoobaalekuwodo)
Published 11/24/2023 5:29:08 PM