On Friday, the Lagos Division of the Appeal Court, in a divided ruling, confirmed Prince Dapo Abiodun’s re-election as the rightful governor of Ogun State on March 18, 2023.
In a detailed ruling presented by Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh, the majority opinion rejected the appeal filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Ladi Adebutu in the 2023 gubernatorial contest.
Tension Peaks as Ogun Awaits Appellate Verdict on PDP’s Challenge Against Governor Abiodun
However, a dissenting opinion by Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang presented a contrasting view. Justice Inyang not only granted the appeal but also mandated a new election to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within ninety days.
This development comes in the wake of a separate ruling by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, which affirmed the election of Governor Ubah Sani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected Governor of Kaduna State.
A/Court Affirms Sani, Nwifuru as Governors Following Election Challenges
In a related case, a three-man panel of justices dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru, against the election victory of Governor Sani. The appeal court criticized the tribunal for relying on inadmissible evidence to order supplementary polls in 22 polling units across four local government areas, where the exercise was deemed inconclusive.
