The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal convened in Lagos has made a decisive ruling that shakes the political landscape. The tribunal has nullified the return of Seyi Sowunmi, the Labour Party’s candidate, as the House of Representatives member for Ojo Federal Constituency in Lagos State.
Heading the three-man panel was Justice Abdullahi Ozegya, alongside Justice Ashu Ewah and Justice Muhammad Sambo. The tribunal’s verdict came as a result of a petition filed by Lanre Ogunyemi, the candidate representing the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ogunyemi, a seasoned two-term state lawmaker and former secretary of the APC in Lagos, contested the validity of Sowunmi’s victory, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) erroneously declared Sowunmi as the winner of the election held on February 25, 2023.
The crux of Ogunyemi’s argument lay in his assertion that Sowunmi, put forward by the Labour Party, was not duly sponsored or qualified to participate in the election for Ojo Federal Constituency. After careful deliberation, the tribunal sided with Ogunyemi’s stance, concluding that Sowunmi was, in fact, not qualified to be a contender in the elections.
Consequently, the tribunal rendered Sowunmi’s accumulated votes null and void, upholding that the runner up, Lanre Ogunyemi of the APC, should have rightfully been announced as the winner for Ojo Federal Constituency. This decision holds potential to reshape the political dynamics within Lagos State and beyond, as the declaration reverses the initial outcome and repositions Ogunyemi at the forefront of representation for the constituency.
As the dust settles on this electoral dispute, political analysts anticipate ripple effects that could extend far beyond the immediate constituency, potentially influencing voter perceptions and future candidacies. The nullification serves as a reminder that rigorous scrutiny of candidate eligibility and due process remains pivotal to the integrity of democratic elections.
