Oyo tribunal orders new election

By Dolapo Ekanade - 07.03.2008

The election petitions Tribunal sitting in Ibadan on Thursday ordered a bye-election into Lagelu constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly after nullifying the election of Honourable Dauda Lawal, the PDP candidate declared winner by (INEC).

Sikiru Adebayo of the All Peoples Democratic Party (ANPP) had challenged Lawal’s election where he alleged that the election in to the legislature was inconclusive and did not substantially comply with Electoral Act of 2006

Over-voting, snatching of ballot boxes, non accreditation of voters, violence and acts of thuggery in some units and wards of the constituency were allegations that were denied by the respondent who urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition and uphold his election.

Justice W.A. Bashir, in his judgment said the tribunal was satisfied that the allegations had been proved. He added that the total number of votes cast should be deducted from the score of each electoral candidate that participated in the election.

In this instant case the tribunal found the respondent to have led the petitioner by a total of 95 votes after deductions were made, which it said could go either way had the electoral act been fully complied with.