The Supreme Court has affirmed the re- election of Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu after dismissing the appeal filed by the Labour Party and its candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour against the victory of the March 18 governorship election for lacking in merit.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sanwo-Olu governor having won majority of the lawful votes cast in the election.
However, the Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the PDP, are challenged his victory at the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal where they lost.
It was his contention that Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s running mate, Obafemi Hamzat had renounced his Nigerian citizenship and therefore not qualified to contest the governorship election.
At the Lagos State Governorship Election Tribunal, his petition was dismissed and the election of Governor Sanwo-Olu was upheld.
Not satisfied with the decision of the tribunal, he proceeded to the Court of Appeal and also lost.
At the Supreme Court, where he further brought the appeal, the court held that the appellant failed to prove that Hamzat had renounced his Nigerian citizenship.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba held that the renunciation of citizenship of a citizens by birth must be registered by the Nigerian president.
He added that the appellant did not provide an evidence to that effect.
The court, therefore dismissed the appeal by the Labour Party Candidate for lacking in merit.
They had alleged irregularities, malpractices, non-compliance, as well as corrupt practices amongst others upon which they want the court to void Sanwo-Olu’s election.
