By Paul Dada
The People Democratic Party, PDP candidate for the Lagos-West Senatorial election, Mr Segun Adewale has urged the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, Lagos to nullify the election of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the March 28, 2015 election.
In his petition before the tribunal presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji, Adewale claims there were irregularities in the conduct of the election in which Adeola popularly known as Yayi was declared a winner.
He further claims that the results submitted by wards were in conflict with the number of card readers. He also alleges that election did not hold in some wards among others irregularities.
But in preliminary objection filed by APC, its counsel Dr Muiz Banir argues that the petitioner does not have the locus standi to institute the action.
Banire says that the petitioner did not specify the law under which he brought the petition and also failed to state the scores of the candidates.
” By provision of Electoral Act, the petitioner is expected to specify the scores of all the candidates in the election. He only specified his own score and that of APC candidate which is respondent.”
Banire argues that Adewale’s failure to do that has robbed the process of its validity. He says the petition is incompetent and urged the court to dis- countenance it.
Senator Yayi in his own preliminary objection filed through his lawyer, urged the court to dismiss the petition as it lacks merit.
The senator argues that there is a material contradiction with the petitioner’s prayer asking the court to declare him as winner while still claiming that the election was marred with irregularities.
He further contends that it is wrong for Adewale to ask the court to declare him in an election he claimed was marred.
Yayi says the issue of his eligibility to contest an election is a pre-election matter and does not fall within the jurisdiction of the tribunal.
Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Kunle Abass also aligns himself with the arguments of APC and Iyay.
issue and not a technical matter.
But Adewale’s lawyer, Yemi Oke insists that the petition was properly brought before the court with clear demands.
Hearing continues today.
