Folarin Floors Ilaka, Sunmonu at Tribunal – TheNigerialawyer

The National Assembly/state assembly election petition tribunal
sitting in Ibadan, yesterday dismissed the petitions filed by the
immediate past Senator Monsurat Sunmonu of the African Democratic
Congress (ADC) and Chief Bisi Ilaka of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP), both from Oyo Central senatorial district, against the
election of Senator Teslim Folarin, of the All Progressive Congress
(APC).

The election petition panel, chaired by D. M. Igyusu, but with
judgment read by Sikiru Owodunni, the-three man panel, in
dismissing the petitions, unanimously agreed that both petitions
lacked merit.

The tribunal was of the opinion that none of petitioners, was
able to substantiate claims of over-voting and electoral
malpractices, pleaded against the victory of Folarin.

The court awarded cost of N20, 000 against the petitioners, in
favour of all respondents; Folarin, the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC.

Folarin while reacting to the judgement, thanked God and
particularly lauded the judiciary for been the last hope of the
common man. He eulogised members of his senatorial district for
voting massively for him and was delighted that their decision to
elect him has been affirmed by the court.

He enjoined both petitioners to now respect the wish of the
electorate and join hands in moving the Oyo Central senatorial
district forward.

However the counsel to both Sunmonu and Ilaka, said they had the
instructions of their clients to proceed on appeal against the
judgement.