The national and state House of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta on Monday dismissed the petition filed by former Speaker, House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Bankole approached the tribunal on April 29, in suit number EPT/OG/FH/02/201 challenging the outcome of April 9, National Assembly Election in Abeokuta South federal constituency.

Bankole had told the court that he polled majority of lawful votes cast as against his opponent Segun Williams of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who was declared winner.

His counsel, Adedayo Adegbile, who prayed the tribunal to declare Bankole winner, said that more than 5,000 voters were disenfranchised in many polling units.

He also said that there were unlawful substitutions of candidates before the election and alleged that there were irregularities that favoured the ACN candidate during the election.

However, counsel to ACN, George Oyeniyi, refuted the claims of the plaintiff, declaring it frivolous with no legal backing. Citing many relevant sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, Mr Oyeniyi urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition and declare his client winner.

In the judgment, Justice Michael Obi, on behalf of other members of the tribunal, said that the petitioner had failed to prove the allegations beyond doubt.
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The judge said that it was the opinion of the tribunal that the defendant won the majority of lawful votes cast. He, therefore, declared him winner of the election and subsequently dismissed the petition.

Owo Wogbo