OYO NORTH: Sen Buhari Wins Second Case, Trashes Shina Peller’s Suit for ‘Lack of Merit’ • Lawmaker Dedicates Victory to Constituents
OYO NORTH: Sen Buhari Wins Second Case, Trashes Shina Peller’s Suit for ‘Lack of Merit’ • Lawmaker Dedicates Victory to Constituents.
By Semiu Azeez
Another gallant victory was recorded by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai today when an Electoral Petition Tribunal Sitting in High Court, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State dismissed the case against him by Senatorial Candidate of Accord in the February 25th, 2023 election, Honourable Shina Peller.
In the judgement delivered by Honourable Justice L. Ngbor-Abia on the allegation of over voting in some polling units in Oyo North, there was no substantial proof on this and so the election cannot be overturned.
Also the panel stated that there was no proof on the petition against Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over Non Compliance with electoral act as amended substantial enough to invalidate the results of February 25th, 2023 Election and so the victory of Senator Buhari cannot be overturned.
The petition was jointly dismissed by the three Justices that made up the panel of the Electoral Petition Tribunal; The Chairman, Honourable Justice Elias O. Abua, Honourable Justice L. Ngbor-Abia and Honourable Justice N.J. Dadi.
According to the panel, if the case of over-voting in the pulling units quoted by the petitioner was anything to go by, the total votes calculated was just 534 and so was not substantial enough to invalidate the victory of Senator Buhari who defeated the candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that came second in the contest with nothing less than 34 thousand votes let alone the petitioner, Accord Candidate, Hon. Peller who came third.
“The figure of over voting as allegedly stated by the petitioner was not substantial enough to invalidate the victory of the 3rd Respondent,” the panel declared.
It was also pointed out that the case of non compliance with electoral acts by INEC allegedly affected not more than six thousand votes in the Senatorial District and so looking at the margins between the winner, Senator Buhari, the second runner of PDP and the petitioner of Accord, Hon. Peller who came third, the margin was still not substantial enough to invalidate the victory of the Respondent in the February 25th, 2023 Senatorial Election of Oyo North.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the victory, Senator Buhari thanked God for the mercy received over the justice gotten from the Tribunal which according to him upheld the mandate given to him by people of Oyo North Senatorial District.
Senator Buhari who dedicated his victory at the just concluded tribunal to generality of people of Oyo North pledged never to disappoint them with his renewed mandate and privilege to serve them in the 10th Senate.
It shall be recalled that just few days ago the legislator won also the case of New Nigerian People’s Party Candidate, Mr Ahmed Adeniyi whose petitions were also dismissed for lack of merits.
