Posted by By ADESINA AIYEKOTI on
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State on Tuesday scored the first major legal victory against opponents seeking to nullify his election in the April poll as the Election Petition Tribunal sustained the electoral verdict.
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State on Tuesday scored the first major legal victory against opponents seeking to nullify his election in the April poll as the Election Petition Tribunal sustained the electoral verdict.
The tribunal dismissed the suit brought by Mr Jimi Agbaje, the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) candidate in the election for lack of merit.
Agbaje, who was the second runner up at the polls, had prayed the tribunal to void the election and order a re-run because his photograph, unlike those of other candidates, was omitted on the ballot paper, a thing he argued put him at a disadvantage.
Specifically, the DPA's candidate had further argued that the election to the office of the governor of Lagos State was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of Section 45 of the Electoral Act, 2006, Sections 5 (2) 17 (2) (a) and 42 (1) (b) of the Constitution and the Common Law on elections.
Striking out the petition, the chairman of the tribunal, Justice Paul Damola, contended that the fact that the complainant's photograph did not appear on the ballot paper was not enough ground to cancel the election of the Action Congress (AC) candidate.
He observed that the Electoral Act did not make it mandatory for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to display a candidate's picture on the ballot papers.
There was, however, pandemonium at the premises of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, as hoodlums suspected to be AC supporters attacked and injured members and chieftains of the DPA after the judgment.
Agbaje narrowly escaped the irate attackers, who pursued his convoy to the foot of the Third Mainland bridge from the High Court at Igbosere, where the tribunal held its sitting.
Eight DPA members sustained injuries after the unprovoked violence, while several vehicles conveying them were damaged. Those injured include: Wasiu Jimoh and Mustapha Tiamiyu from Lagos Island. Others are: four DPA members from Eti-Osa, two from Mushin and one from Agege, a statement by the party's Director of Publicity, Felix Oboagwina, said.
The DPA spokesman added: "The fact that AC elected to unleash violence, where it enjoys victory showcases what the party represents in Lagos politics. It also gives credence to accusations that this party has been bankrolling violence in South-West states where its candidates lost the elections."
The party said it held AC's chairman in the state, Chief Ajomale and the state Environment Commissioner, Muiz Banire, responsible for the attack as the mobsters allegedly arrived the venue with them. It urged the Lagos Police Commissioner to invite them "to produce the hoodlums who carried out this act of political brigandage."