The Election Petition Tribunal in Lagos has delivered a significant ruling, ousting Olukayode Doherty of the Labour Party from his position as a member of the State House of Assembly, representing Amuwo-Odofin II Constituency. The tribunal, which convened at the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), declared Rauf Olawale Sulaiman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful victor of the March 18 election.
The tribunal's decision hinged on its interpretation of the Electoral Act of 2022, which unequivocally mandates that a candidate must actively participate in the electoral process to be declared a winner. Consequently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been directed by the court to furnish Sulaiman with the certificate of return, thereby officially recognizing him as the elected representative of the constituency.
A pivotal factor in this ruling was the absence of the Labour Party candidate, Olukayode Doherty, on the ballot during the election. The tribunal observed that although the INEC had issued a certificate to Doherty, his absence from the ballot rendered his candidacy null and void. Additionally, the tribunal found that Tunde Fashina, who did appear on the ballot and received the majority of votes, was not qualified to run for office.
This verdict follows a petition filed by the APC candidate, Rauf Olawale Sulaiman, challenging the legitimacy of the election. The respondents in the case included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Labour Party, Tunde Fashina, and Olukayode David Doherty, who occupied the first to fourth positions respectively.
As this decision reshapes the political landscape in Amuwo-Odofin II Constituency, it underscores the importance of adherence to electoral regulations and highlights the role of the judiciary in upholding the integrity of the democratic process. The newly declared winner, Rauf Olawale Sulaiman, is now set to take up his role as the representative of the people in the State House of Assembly
