The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has revealed it is appealing the verdict passed by the Ogun State governorship and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal. The party expressed its displeasure at the tribunal’s ruling on its gubernatorial election petition. The party’s petition was based on the omission of its name on the ballot papers in the gubernatorial election which held across the state on Saturday, March 18, 2023.
The tribunal, on April 15, 2023, dismissed the petition against Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first respondent, Abiodun Adedapo Olusegun as the second respondent, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the third respondent on the ground that the debrief counsel requested for discontinuation and withdrawal of the petition.
The NNPP is appealing the ruling as its counsel, I. D. Izunya, disclosed the party has filed an appeal to contest the verdict of the tribunal on suit No EPT/OG/GOV/01/2023, at the Court of Appeal, sitting in the Ibadan Judicial Division. The party claims that the judges erred in their judgment, which informed their decision to file an appeal to challenge the verdict of the tribunal.
According to Izunya, the learned justices erred in law when they held that the National Legal Adviser of NNPP cannot take over the appellant’s case, brief another counsel, and debrief the counsel on record, Mr Peter I. Ogah, from further representing the party. The counsel explained that, as per the constitution of NNPP, the National Legal Adviser of the party is empowered to attend to all litigations and legal defence on behalf of the party at all levels, including its organs and coordinate the activities of Legal Advisers at all levels on legal matters affecting the party.
