Lagos Tribunal Strikes Down LP’s Rhodes-Vivour’s Petition In PDP’s Challenge Against Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s Victory

The Lagos Governorship Election Tribunal has made a significant decision by striking out the petition filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and the Labour Party (LP) in the midst of a larger legal challenge brought forth by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The legal battle revolves around the outcome of the 2023 governorship election, with Rhodes-Vivour and Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, who was the PDP candidate in the election, disputing the victory of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to reports from Sahara Reporters, Justice Mikail Abdullahi, a member of the three-member panel presiding over the tribunal, addressed the issue. He explained that the tribunal decided to strike out certain aspects of the petition due to preliminary motions challenging their competence, a decision that emerged as part of the judgment on objections raised by respondents in the case.

Rhodes-Vivour, the candidate of the Labour Party, had filed his petition, marked as EPT/LAG/GOV/04/2023 and dated April 9, 2023, requesting the tribunal to nullify Sanwo-Olu’s victory. In his petition, he argued that Sanwo-Olu, who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC), was not qualified to participate in the election. He contended that Sanwo-Olu’s victory did not align with the majority of lawful votes cast during the election.

Similarly, the PDP candidate, Adediran, raised objections in his petition, asserting that Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Hamzat, and the Labour Party candidate, Rhodes-Vivour, were all unqualified to take part in the election.

This decision by the Lagos Governorship Election Tribunal is undoubtedly a significant development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the 2023 governorship election results. The outcome of this case will have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of Lagos State.