The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos State, has nullified the victory of Thaddeus Atta of the Labour Party as the duly elected representative for Eti Osa Federal Constituency.
In a late-night ruling delivered recently, the tribunal declared the elections to be inconclusive and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in all polling places where voting did not take place within 90 days.
Recall that the All Progressives Congress candidate, Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro, and Nigerian singer and actor Bankole Wellington, also known as Banky W, of the People’s Democratic Party, had filed petitions to challenge the election results.
According to INEC, Atta polled 24,075 votes, beating out Banky W and Obanikoro, who polled 18,668 and 16,901 votes, respectively.
While reacting to the development on Instagram, The All Progressives Congress candidate Ibrahim Obanikoro praised the judges “for this ruling which adheres to the components of the Constitution.”
He wrote: “It was all smiles at the tribunal court when it was confirmed that there would be a supplementary election in several polling units under the Eti-Osa Federal constituency where the election did not take place. I believe that our justice system is on the right track and I praise the judges for this ruling which adheres to the components of the Constitution. Work starts now.”
Meanwhile, Atta of the Labour Party has tweeted that he was not sacked and there is “No cause for alarm.”
He added: “I am here to clarify that I was not sacked. The Tribunal has simply ordered a re-run (supplementary election) in the 32 polling units where elections did not hold. We will continue working for Eti-osa. I urge constituents to keep calm as we are unshaken. We will get through this together.”
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