Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday described the governorship election petitions tribunal’s judgment as a victory for all, urging Abdulazeez Adediran (aka Jandor of the Peoples Democratic Party) and Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (of the Labour Party) to join his government to develop Lagos.
The governor called on Messrs Adediran and Rhodes-Vivour to join hands with him to build the Lagos of their dreams.
“I extend, again, an olive branch to fellow contestants to join us in building the Lagos of our dreams,” said Mr Sanwo-Olu. “If they have the passion to serve, we can work together because there is room for everyone to contribute meaningfully to the Lagos we all desire to see.”
Mr Sanwo-Olu said this while addressing journalists at the State House in Ikeja after an 11-hour judgment by a three-man panel led by Justice Arum Ashom at the Roseline Omotosho Court, Ikeja.
“It was a long, tough process, but we are grateful that the voice of the people of Lagos was heard and upheld. The deputy governor and I are very privileged and thankful to residents for standing for and by us. It is a victory for all, no winner, no loser,” stated Mr Sanwo-Olu. “It is, however, an opportunity for more work and service. Therefore, we will continue to work harder to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.”
In its unanimous decision, the panel dismissed the two petitions filed by the PDP and the Labour Party.
Reacting, Olagbade Benson, senior counsel to the Labour Party candidate, said, “The tribunal has done their part, and we cannot ask for more. Therefore, we encourage every member of the Labour Party and all Obidients to stay calm and obey the rule of law.”
In his lead judgment, the tribunal chair, Justice Arum Ashom, had dismissed the petition by Rhodes-Vivour on the ground that it lacked merit.
On the oath of allegiance to the U.S. by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, the tribunal held that being a citizen of Nigeria by birth, his oath of allegiance to the United States does not prevent him from contesting election.
The tribunal, therefore, affirmed the declaration of INEC of the election of Messrs Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat as the governor and deputy governor duly elected.
Austin Akpomreta, defence counsel to the PDP governorship candidate, explained that the next step would be taken after reviewing the judgment with his client.
The tribunal also declared as dead on arrival a petition of Mr Adediran against Mr Sanwo-Olu’s election. It held that evidence before it showed that the petition lacked merit.
Mr Adediran had contended that Mr Sanwo-Olu was wrongfully nominated and sponsored by the APC and, therefore, unqualified for the election.
However, while reading the tribunal’s decision on the matter, Justice Mikail Abdullahi held that the position did not form part of the grounds for disqualification for election into the office of a governor under sections 177 and 182 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
The tribunal also declared that it had no powers to inquire into the APC primary, which produced Mr Sanwo-Olu, adding that the issue was a pre-election matter which did not fall under its jurisdiction.
(NAN)
