National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo capital, has upheld the election of Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character, Adebayo Adepoju, representing Ibarapa Central/North federal constituency of the state, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The panel dismissed the petition filed by Ajibola Muraina, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he filed against Adepoju of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for being frivolous and lacking merit.
It also awarded N1.5 million substantial cost against Muraina, comprising N500,000 each to the trio of Adepoju, PDP and INEC. The results of the election showed that Adepoju polled 12,884 votes to defeat his closest rival, Muraina who scored 12,121 votes.
In the petition, Muraina had alleged non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and over-voting in favour of Adepoju in the February 25 general election. The tribunal, however, held that the petitioner was unable to establish the complaint in the petition and failed to prove the petition as it was.
Reacting to the judgement, Adepoju expressed his appreciation to God for making it possible for the judgment to be fair and just. He extended his gratitude to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, the leadership of PDP, both at the state and local levels, as well as Seye Famojuro, and the entire constituents of Ibarapa Central/North federal constituency.
Source: The Sun
