Ogun Gov Election: S’Court Reserves Judgment On PDP, Adebutu’s Appeals

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu filed to challenge the outcome of the governorship election that held in Ogun State on March 18, 2023.

Osun Defender reports that the appeal is seeking to remove Governor Dapo Abiodun, who contested and was re-elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from office.

This is as the five-member panel led by Justice John Okoro declined to hear the cross-appeals filed by the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, insisting that it abides by the outcome of the main appeal filed by Adebutu.

The appeal by Adebutu is seeking the nullification of the declaration of the election of Dapo Abiodun.

While adopting his brief of argument, Adebutu’s lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the apex court that INEC was ordered to conduct a fresh poll in 99 polling units where results were either cancelled or the election did not hold at all.

He argued that in view of the number of units affected by the order for a fresh election as well as the margin of lead principle, it was wrong for INEC to declare and return Abiodun of the APC as the winner of the gubernatorial contest.

On its part, INEC, through its team of lawyers led by Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko, SAN, urged the apex court to dismiss Adebutu’s appeal as lacking in merit.

INEC’s lawyer maintained that governorship and presidential elections were not determined by margin of lead but by the spread of votes, in line with the provision of Section 179 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Likewise, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the return of his client as the authentic winner of the election.

After it had listened to all the parties, the apex court panel said it would communicate the judgement date to them.