Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s candidate in the recent Lagos State gubernatorial race, is challenging the election outcome, asserting that his petition is a “litmus test” for the primacy of the constitution over all other laws.
In his final written response to the final address of Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat, the declared winners of the March 18 elections, Rhodes-Vivour, through his lawyer Olumide Ayeni and a team of 12 others, cited violations of Sections 182 (1)(a) and 187 (1) & (2) of the Constitution. These pertain to the declaration of fealty to a foreign nation and the failure to nominate a deputy governorship candidate, respectively.
Rhodes-Vivour’s contention is that Sanwo-Olu’s election was not valid, as his running mate, Hamzat, breached the constitution. He also claims that the election was fraught with irregularities, including violence, overvoting, disenfranchisement, and thuggery, and did not comply with the Electoral Act 2022.
The Labour Party candidate called 10 witnesses to substantiate his case, while Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat presented only one. Rhodes-Vivour also raised an objection to the validity of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat’s final written address, pointing to several violations of the Election Judicial Proceedings Practice Directions, 2022.
Additionally, Rhodes-Vivour highlighted Hamzat’s alleged declaration of allegiance to the United States, arguing that this should disqualify him from being the Deputy Governorship Candidate. He requested the Tribunal to uphold the sanctity of the constitution and protect Nigeria’s sovereignty from potential foreign interference.
Rhodes-Vivour called for the Tribunal to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity. He requested that, since Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat are disqualified due to these constitutional violations, he should be recognized as the lawful winner of the March 18 gubernatorial election.
SOURCE: Channels TV
IMAGE: Igbere TV
