Tribunal dismisses Olujimi, NNPP, other petitions in Kwara, Ekiti

The National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday dismissed the petition filed by Senator Biodun Olujimi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of Senator Yemi Adaramodu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti South.

Similarly, the petitions filed against INEC by Engr Dare Bankole, a candidate of PDP in Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Irepodun/Isin Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and that of the NNPP for the Ifelodun/Offa/Oyun Federal Constituency of Kwara State also suffered set back.

Delivering the judgement between Olujimi and Adaramodu, Justice J.O. Abdulmalik ruled that there was no malpractice and over-voting in the election as alleged.

“The petitioner failed to prove his case that there was corruption and over-voting in the Ekiti South Senatorial District election conducted by the INEC on February 25,2023,” she ruled.

She awarded a cost of N300,000 against the petitioner, which he said should be paid to the three respondents, INEC, Adaramodu and APC.

Meanwhile, the Edo State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin, has upheld the election of Adams Oshiomhole of the APC, as Senator for Edo North.

The tribunal also upheld the election of Hon. Ihonvbere Onozuanvbo Julius, of the APC, as the winner of Owan Federal Constituency election.

The Independent National Electoral Commissioner (INEC) had during the February 25 general elections declared Sen. Oshiomhole and Hon. Ihonvbere as winners but the PDP candidates, a former lawmaker, Francis Alimikhena and Jimoh Ijiegbai, approached the tribunal alleging irregularities and called for a rerun.