In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of Nigeria brought an end to the protracted legal tussle over the Ogun State governorship election. The apex court’s decision to dismiss the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, solidified the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Dapo Abiodun.
The lead judgment delivered by Justice Tijani Abubakar unequivocally labeled the appeal as unmeritorious, delivering a significant blow to the PDP’s quest to challenge the election results. The court rejected the plea to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in the allegedly affected 99 polling units, unequivocally disagreeing with the claims of election cancellation in those areas.
The Supreme Court upheld the lawfulness of the APC’s victory, concurring with the electoral body’s declaration of Dapo Abiodun as the rightful winner of the March 18 poll. Justice Abubakar emphasized the lack of evidential value in the documents presented by the appellants, deeming them as “worthless papers” due to the absence of essential elements such as headings, dates, and signatures.
This ruling reaffirmed the earlier decisions of the Ogun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which had both dismissed the petition on the grounds of lacking merit. The apex court’s judgment ultimately cements the electoral success of the APC in Ogun State, underscoring the legal soundness of the gubernatorial election process.
The ramifications of this verdict extend beyond the confines of Ogun State, serving as a testament to the resilience of Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems. As the dust settles on this contentious legal battle, the country stands witness to the potency of the rule of law and the unwavering commitment to upholding democratic principles.
