The legal saga surrounding the Lagos State Governorship election continues, as the Appeal Court in Lagos solidified Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat’s positions as Governor and Deputy Governor. This decision stems from a hotly contested election in March, marked by widespread violence and reported segregation of Igbo voters in Lagos. Despite calls for cancellation due to the violence, the election proceeded.
The Court of Appeal justices unanimously dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) appeal, citing a lack of merit in their case. Justices Yargata Nimpa, Samuel Bola, and Paul Bassey delivered this verdict.
Initially declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sanwo-Olu secured 762,134 votes, surpassing Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) with 312,329 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party’s Abdulazeez Adediran trailed in third place with 62,449 votes.
Unsatisfied with the outcome, the LP and PDP candidates sought to challenge Sanwo-Olu’s victory through the Lagos State Election Petitions Tribunal. However, their suit was dismissed on September 25, prompting further discontent.
In response, Jandor, on October 13, filed an appeal comprising 34 grounds to contest the tribunal’s judgment.
Despite the heated debate and controversies, the decision ultimately favored Sanwo-Olu—a stark reminder of the intricate nature of politics and its outcomes.
