The Court of Appeal in Lagos has scheduled Wednesday, November 15, for the delivery of judgment in the appeals filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s governorship candidate, and Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Both candidates are contesting the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A notice from the court to the concerned parties conveyed that the judgment would be pronounced at 3 p.m. tomorrow. The Court of Appeal panel, headed by Justice Yargata Nimpar, had reserved judgment on November 7th after hearing arguments from the parties. The other justices on the panel are Justice Samuel Bola and Justice Paul Bassi.
The Election Petitions Tribunal had, on September 25, unanimously dismissed the two petitions, affirming the victory of Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat. During the appeals’ hearing on November 7th, lead counsel Olagbade Benson, representing Rhodes-Vivour, urged the court to allow the appeal, grant the reliefs sought, and set aside the Tribunal’s decision.
Benson also requested the court to interpret Section 182(1)(a) of the Constitution and its implications for the qualifications of the 2nd and 3rd respondents. On October 7th, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour filed his notice of appeal containing 21 grounds, challenging the State Governorship Tribunal’s decision that upheld Sanwo-Olu’s return to office.