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Lagos Governorship Election: Gov Sanwo-Olu, Wife Voted With Invalid Voters Cards, Witness Tells Tribunal
There are allegations that Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke were allowed to cast their votes, despite their voter cards being invalid.
The testimony was given by an agent of the Labour Party, Dayo Isreal who was subpoenaed to testify in the petition filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s candidate, in the March 18 election, seeking to nullify the return of Gov. SanwoOlu and his deputy.
A witness on Monday told the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal headed by Justice Arum Ashom.
While being led in evidence by the Rhodes-Vivour’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olumide Ayeni, the witness told the court that he served as an agent for the Labour Party for Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government in the Governorship Election.
” I observed that the card reader showed their cards to be invalid but Sanwo-Olu and his wife were allowed to cast their votes and this is against INEC’s electoral process,” Israel said before the tribunal
Under cross-examination from counsel to INEC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Charles Edosomwan, the witness also claimed he was beaten up that day by some All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters and that he knew they were APC supporters from the way they spoke.
“I am not a member of the Labour Party but I was assigned as an agent. When the APC thugs recognised me as an LP agent, they beat me up. They also said if voters did not vote for APC, they would beat them too,” he said
When asked by counsel to Governor Sanwo Olu Olu & his deputy, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Muiz Banire, to describe how he was beaten.
He added, “During casting of votes, 4 of them beat me up. I ran away, changed my clothes to disguise myself and came back to monitor the counting of votes.
He also noted that there were cases of multiple casting of votes but INEC officials failed to intervene
“I observed more than 3-4 people voting more than once at the polling unit. INEC staff conducted the elections, though they looked the other way when this was going on.”
While answering questions from counsel to APC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Abiodun Owonikoko, the witness disclosed that a total number of 126 people were accredited at the polling unit where Governor Sanwo -Olu voted while APC had 121 votes, LP was given 2votes.
Additionally another subpoenaed witness, the secretary of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Sam Okpala, also testified before the tribunal
Led by counsel to the petitioner, Folagbade Benson, the subpoena was tendered to the tribunal through the witness, a situation which led to another round of objections from the respondents.
The tribunal in its ruling noted the objections of the respondents but proceeded to hear the testimony of the witness while ordering the respondents to include their objections in their final written addresses.
The witness, while being cross-examined by INEC’s counsel, said he would not have appeared before the tribunal if he was not subpoenaed, adding that he never wrote a statement.
The tribunal has adjourned till July 3 for the continuation of the hearing in the petition.
News
IGP Disu Wears New DIGs Insignia
Disu, during the ceremony today urged the new Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to uphold discipline, integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
• IGP Tunji Disu
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu has decorated the newly promoted senior officers at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja .
Disu, during the ceremony today urged the new Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to uphold discipline, integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He said the elevation to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police was not merely the wearing of new insignia but a recognition of years of dedicated service and a call to greater responsibility in the leadership of the force.
Disu emphasised that the rank represents one of the highest levels of professional trust within the police and demands wisdom, courage and a strong commitment to justice and service.
News
BREAKING: Court of Appeal Upholds Federal High Court Ruling Halting PDP’s Ibadan National Convention
In a major ruling that deepens the ongoing leadership crisis in Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court restraining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its controversial National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15-16, 2025.
A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, delivered a unanimous judgment on Monday dismissing the appeal filed by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP.
The court upheld the October 31, 2025, ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, validating, or accepting the outcome of the Ibadan convention.
The Appeal Court held that the PDP’s decision to proceed with the convention violated key provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, INEC’s guidelines on party primaries and conventions, and the PDP’s own Constitution.
It emphasized that the Federal High Court’s intervention was justified to prevent illegality and to protect the rights of excluded delegates from over 14 states where congresses had not yet been conducted.
The panel further criticized INEC for failing to adequately monitor the party’s processes as required by law. In a related aspect of the judgment, a fine of ₦2 million was imposed on the Turaki-led faction.
Rejecting arguments from the appellants that the matter was purely an intra-party affair outside judicial jurisdiction, the Court of Appeal ruled that violations of constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, or a political party’s constitution confer jurisdiction on the courts.
This decision marks the first in a series of nine consolidated appeals stemming from the PDP’s protracted internal crisis, which pits the Turaki faction against a rival caretaker leadership aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The appeals challenge multiple Federal High Court rulings that halted the Ibadan convention and recognized the caretaker committee.
The ruling represents a significant victory for the Wike-aligned faction and could have far-reaching implications for the PDP’s leadership structure, upcoming elections, and INEC’s recognition of the party’s national officers.
Further judgments in the remaining appeals are expected later today or in the coming days as the Court of Appeal continues its sittings on the consolidated cases.
The PDP has yet to issue an official reaction, though sources indicate the Turaki faction may pursue further appeals to the Supreme Court.
News
IWD: My greatest investments are my three daughters – Otedola
Tolani is a singer, Florence a renowned disc jockey and Temi is an actress and fashion blogger.
“My greatest investments are my three daughters who make me proud every day. Happy International Women’s Day my angels,” wrote the billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola.
His three daughters are Tolani, Florence (DJ Cuppy) and Temi.
The Chairman of First Holdco Plc stated this in an X post on Sunday to commemorate International Women’s Day.
The billionaire’s daughters are high flyers in various areas of personal endeavour. Tolani is a singer, Florence a renowned disc jockey and Temi is an actress and fashion blogger.
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