The All Progressives Congress Senatorial candidate in Ogun East in the March 28 National Assembly election, Dapo Abiodun, has filed a petition at the state National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge the victory of Buruji Kashamu, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, who was declared the winner of the poll.
Kashamu was returned elected and declared winner of the election by the returning officer of the zone, Prof. Babatunde Ikotun after polling 99,540 votes to defeat eight other candidates.
Abiodun was the first runner-up in the election and Adegbenga Kaka of the Social Democratic Party was the second runner-up.
In the petition, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, Abiodun, argued that Kashamu was not qualified to contest the election and that he didn’t score the highest number of lawful votes as required by law.
The petitioner, who said he would rely on form EC8E (1) to prove his case, further alleged that Kashamu, his party, PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, who are joined as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents respectively, failed to comply with the electoral act.
Abiodun added, “The 1st Respondent, Prince Buruji Kahamu, was not duly elected by majority of the lawful votes cast at the election and therefore did not meet the requirements of the law to be returned as the winner of the election.
“The election of the 1st Respondent, Prince Buruji Kashamu, is invalid by reason of substantial non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2015 (as amended), the Manual for Election Officials 2015, the guidelines issues for the conduct of the election and the law in the conduct of the election.
“The election of the 1st Respondent, Prince Buruji Kashamu, is invalid by reason of corrupt practices and electoral malpractices perpetrated by the 1st Respondents in person and members and agents of the 1st and 2nd Respondents in the places mentioned in this petition.
“The 1st Respondent, Prince Buruji Kashamu, was not qualified contest the election.”
Abiodun urged the court to nullify all the results from polling units or wards where the requisite forms were not completed, dated, signed or stamped by the concerned officials.
The petitioner however prayed the court to declare Kashamu as not qualified to contest the Ogun East Senatorial Election; was not duly elected by majority of lawful votes cast during the election and that a declaration that the announcement of Kashamu be annulled and set aside, the same being null and void.
Media aide to Kashamu, Austin Oniyokor, had earlier said in a statement that his principal was prepared to meet any petitioner at the tribunal, describing APC’s allegation of rigging as unfounded. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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