Share Oke-Ode Constituency: Obayomi Heads To Tribunal
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly Candidate for Share/Oke-Ode Constituency, Barr. Obayomi Azeez Olaitan has filed a petition to challenge victory of Owolabi Olatunde Rasaq of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Election Tribunal.
Obayomi in the petition marked: EPT/KW/SHA/01/2023 says Owolabi did not win majority of lawful votes cast during March 18 House of Assembly election in Share Oke-Ode Constituency.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Owolabi as the 1st to 3rd respondents in the petition made available to FactualTimes.
The petitioners are praying for the tribunal to declare Owolabi as not duly elected with a majority of the lawful votes cast, wanting an order mandating INEC to retrieve the certificate of return issued to the APC candidate.
Obayomi said it is his decision and that of the PDP that the outcome of the March 18 elections is challenged at the State House Of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ilorin.
“Our grounds for this petition include that Owolabi was at the time of the election, not qualified to contest the election; that the election of Owolabi was/is invalid by reason of substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022; and also that Owolabi was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast at the election”
“It is our belief that we owe democracy in our country, Nigeria, a duty to help deepen it by taking such an action to reverse the ‘hijacking’ of the popular mandate. It is our faith that the mandate of the Share/Oke-Ode electorates will be restored to our great party as was rightfully given by the people on March 18.”
The PDP candidate is also challenging results from 29 polling units in Ilere, Oke Ode II, Oke Ode III, Oro Ago, Share III, Share IV, and Share V wards for non-compliance with mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Obayomi is asking the election petition tribunal to declare him as validly elected and returned as Member Elect, Kwara State House of Assembly representing Share/Oke Ode Constituency.
” An order declaring null and void, the Certificate of Return wrongly issued to the 3rd Respondent by the 1st Respondent. An order directing the 1st Respondent to issue a Certificate of Return to the 1st Petitioner as the duly elected member, Kwara State House of Assembly Share/Oke Ode constituency.”
