Tribunal Strikes Out Rhodes Vivour, LP’s Petition, Affirms Sanwo-Olu’s Election

The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition of the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour against Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that the LP flag bearer had filed a petition challenging the outcome of the March 18 governorship election in the state, in which Sanwo-Olu of APC was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the petition dated April 9, 2023, Rhodes-Vivour stated that Sanwo-Olu was not qualified to contest the election at the time the election took place.

The petitioner also insisted that the election did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the constitution, and was characterized by irregularities.

According to Rhodes-Vivour, the election of Sanwo-Olu was invalid, adding that the second respondent was not duly elected by the majority of the lawful votes cast at the election.

INEC, Sanwo-Olu’s running mate, Obafemi Hamzat, and the APC are the 1st, 3rd, and 4th respondents, respectively.

However, the Tribunal while delivering judgement on Monday, struck out Rhodes Vivour’s petition for lacking merit and affirmed Sanwo-Olu as the duly elected governor of Lagos State.