Tribunal affirms Sanwo-Olu as Lagos governor

• These petitions were based on allegations of electoral irregularities 
• The tribunal, comprising a 3-member panel, reviewed the evidence

On September 25, 2023, the Lagos Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal affirmed Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the rightfully elected governor of Lagos State.

This ruling came as a result of petitions filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party, and Olajide Adediran (popularly known as Jandor) of the People’s Democratic Party, challenging the legitimacy of Sanwo-Olu’s victory in the governorship election held on March 18.

These petitions were based on allegations of electoral irregularities and sought to contest the victories of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

However, the tribunal, comprising a 3-member panel, reviewed the evidence and ultimately dismissed the objections raised by the respondents in the case.

During the March 18 governorship election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sanwo-Olu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner with a total of 762,134 votes.

This figure surpassed the votes garnered by Rhodes-Vivour, who scored 312,329 votes, and Jide Adediran (Jandor) of the PDP, who came in a distant third with 62,449 votes.

Jandor, in particular, had contested the election results in Lagos state, contending the process and the outcomes.

However, the tribunal’s judgment upheld the election results and affirmed Sanwo-Olu’s victory. Justice Mikhail Abdullah, leading the panel, delivered the judgment, thereby solidifying Sanwo-Olu’s position as the duly elected governor of Lagos State.