Tribunal Upholds Oshiomhole and Ihonvbere’s Election Victories
In a recent development, the National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin has upheld the election victories of Senator Adams Oshiomhole of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and House leader Julius Ihonvbere of the APC. The tribunal, led by Justice O.A. Chuioke, dismissed a petition filed by former Senator Francis Alimikhena, a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing a lack of merit.
Senator Alimikhena had challenged Senator Oshiomhole’s election victory, alleging non-compliance with the Electoral Act and other irregularities. He also called for the nullification of the election results. However, the tribunal found that the petitioners failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims.
In a separate case, the tribunal also dismissed a petition filed by Jimoh Ijiegbai and the PDP against the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Julius Ihonvbere as the winner of the Owan Federal Constituency election. The tribunal agreed with the argument presented by Ihonvbere’s lead counsel, Mr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), that the petition lacked merit.
These rulings emphasize the importance of presenting strong evidence when challenging election results through petitions. The petitioners in both cases were unable to substantiate their claims, leading to the dismissal of their petitions.
Governorship Election Tribunal Reserves Judgment on Ogun State Election Petitions
In Ogun State, the Governorship Election Tribunal has reserved judgment on the petitions challenging the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun and the APC. The tribunal, led by Justice Hamidu Kunaza, made this decision after counsels adopted their final written addresses.
The petitions, filed by Ladipupo Adebutu and the PDP, challenge the return of Governor Abiodun by INEC in the March 18, 2023 governorship elections in the state. The respondents, including INEC, Governor Abiodun, and the APC, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions, citing various reasons, including inadmissible evidence and lack of merit.
The tribunal’s decision to reserve judgment means that the outcome of these election petitions will be determined at a later date. The parties involved are now awaiting the tribunal’s decision on these crucial election disputes.
Tribunal Dismisses Petitions in Kwara State
In Kwara State, the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed three petitions filed to challenge National Assembly elections. The tribunal, in its judgment, dismissed the petitions for various reasons, including a lack of evidence to support the allegations made by the petitioners.
One of the dismissed petitions was filed by Senator Biodun Olujimi of the PDP against Senator Yemi Adaramodu of the APC in the Ekiti South Senatorial District Constituency. The tribunal found that there was no evidence of corruption or over-voting in the election, and therefore, the petition lacked merit.
Another dismissed petition was filed by Dare Bankole, a PDP candidate, challenging the election into the Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Irepodun/Isin Federal Constituency of the House of Representatives. The tribunal ruled that the petitioner failed to prove non-compliance with the Electoral Act and malpractices during the election.
Lastly, the tribunal also dismissed a petition filed by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) challenging the election into Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency of Kwara State. The NNPP accused INEC of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and alleged corrupt practices by the APC and its candidate, Tijani Bashir. However, the tribunal ruled that the petition lacked merit and ordered the petitioner to pay fines to the respondents.
These dismissals highlight the importance of presenting credible evidence when challenging election results through petitions. The tribunal found that the petitioners failed to substantiate their claims, resulting in the dismissal of their petitions.
