By Wuraola Bamgbose
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on Friday affirmed the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the March 18, poll, in Ogun State.
In a majority judgment delivered by the duo of Justices J.S. Ikyegh and Muhammed Mustapha, the appellate court dismissed the appeal brought before it by the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in the state, Hon. Ladi Adebutu.
The court held that the appeal lacked merit as it found no substance in it and subsequently dismissed it, affirming the earlier decision of the Tribunal without costs.
The Court holds further that Appellants did not prove the allegation of certificate forgery against Governor Abiodun and noted that the Tribunal did not believe the evidence of certain witnesses because of their demeanours and because of the chorused nature of their testimony.
Maintaining that appellate courts generally do not interfere with such assessments, it held that the assessment of the Tribunal is undisturbed.
While upholding the expunging of the evidence of the forensic experts, the court held that there is a huge crater in the petition of the appellants, making same castrated, sterile, and with no legs to stand on.
The court followed the principle that when a decision is ultimately correct, it is immaterial that some reasons may have been applied since the appellate courts concern themselves with the conclusions mainly.
It would be recalled that the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta had on September 30, 2023, upheld Abiodun’s declaration as the winner of the March 18, governorship election.
Meanwhile, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Friday said the judiciary has once again shown its commitment to upholding the rule of law in the country.
The governor spoke at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, while reacting to the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which affirmed his March 18 electoral victory
He acknowledged the All Progressives Congress (APC) for giving him the platform to run with while thanking members who have been with the party since the beginning of the court process.
He also thanked the people of the state for entrusting their mandate to him and members of his party, affirming that his administration will continue to be fair, just, and equitable.
While promising not to let the people of the state down, Governor Abiodun disclosed that he would continue to build on the foundation laid by his administration in the first term.
Prince Abiodun however urged his opponents to quit the struggle and join his administration in its quest to develop the state.
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