The two major political parties contesting the December 5, 2020 senatorial bye election in Lagos State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are at each other’s neck, as they took the contest to the court of law, seeking disqualification of each other’s candidates.
PDP’s candidate, Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi, fired the first salvo when he dragged the APC candidate, Tokunbo Abiru, to court. He urged the Federal High Court, Lagos, through his lawyer, Ebun Olu Adegboruwa, to Nullify, Cancel and Void the nomination of Abiru as APC’s candidate as he, Abiru allegedly, violated Section 21 of the Electoral Act. Gbadamosi alleged that Abiru registered twice and had two voter’s cards. This, he said is against the Electoral Law.
In response, APC’s counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) and Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the suit for lack of jurisdiction and failure to mee the requirements of section 285 (c) of the constitution.
Justice Chuka Obiozoi adjourned further hearing to December 9, 2020.
The APC and its candidate, Abiru have, however, refused to let legal battle lie low. They have equally taken the fight to the PDP’s lawn. Abiru and his party have flied a suit to compel the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to investigate and prosecute the PDP’s candidate, Babatunde Gbadamosi, for offences bordering on giving false information on oath in his Form EC9 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and dodging mandatory National Youth Service. The holding of election does not affect the substance of the suit.
The APC alleged that Gbadamosi does not qualify to contest the Lagos East Senatorial District Bye election having presented a West African School Certificate, which is materially different from that contained on the official website of the West African Examination Council (WAEC). This, the party insisted was contrary to the provision of the Constitution.
In the examination result that Gbadamosi allegedly presented to INEC, he sat for 5-subjects and obtained 4 credits. In the result posted online, Gbadamosi is said to have sat for 8 subjects and failed 3. The APC alleged that the result Gbadamosi submitted to INEC was not the accurate result. Hence allegation of Falsification. The APC also seeking action to nullify or quash any vote which Gbadamosi may score during the upcoming election.
The APC wants the court to question how Gbadamosi got admission into the Lagos State University (LASU) as he allegedly didn’t pass the minimum number of subjects required for admission into the university.
In Form C9, Gbadamosi claimed that he attended the University of Lagos after obtaining West African School Certificate in 1985. The result, which does not meet the requirement for University admission.
Gbadamosi’s Wikipedia page shows that he attended LASU, but does not indicate the course he studied. He is yet to speak on the inconsistencies and irregularities in the papers he filed to contest election.
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