Court of Appeal affirms George Adegeye Olawande Amuwo Odofin Federal constituency representative

The Court of Appeal threw out all the appeals filed by APC, APGA and ZLP including their candidates, against the Lawmaker representing Amuwo Odofin Federal constituency, Mr George Adegeye Olawande.

The thrust of their appeal was centred on the nomination and sponsorship of Mr. George Adegeye Olawande (GAO) by the Labour Party likewise that of his membership in the party.

The Court of Appeal presided over by Justices M.L. Shuaib, J.E Ekanem and P.A Bassi in their unanimous decision held that the petitioners lack the right and indeed the requisite power to determine membership of a political party or chose who the party presents as its candidate for an election.

While dismissing the appeals, the Justices agree with the counsel to Mr Adegeye Olawande and Labour Party on an objection filed earlier regarding the case being a pre-election matter and held that the National Assembly Petition Tribunal lacked the necessary jurisdiction to have entertained the matter initially and therefore struck them out.

The grounds of his objection were that the issue of nomination and sponsorship of Hon Olawande by Labour Party is an internal affair of their party and an outsider referred to as meddlesome interloper as the Appellants clearly do not have the locus standi to challenge it.

Reacting to the judgment, Muyiwa Ogunkolade Esq stated that the well delivered judgment had laid to rest the dead issue of pre-election matters peddled by the Appellants. He commended the courage shown by the Justices to stand for the constitution in the face of intimidation and attempt to induce the court. Earlier during the hearing of the Appeal, Hon Justice Shuaib had lamented attempts by some powerful individuals to influence the decision of the court.

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Ogunkolade said that: “The litigation which took off from the tribunal and finally ended at the Court of Appeal was obviously not necessary because the victory of Hon Olawande with 46,702 of the valid votes cast to defeat Prince Lanre Sanusi of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) who got 12,946 is too resounding to warrant this judicial rascality.

“The Appellants deliberately took this wickedly orchestrated action to distract Hon Olawande and above all made him spend resources that would have added value to the good people of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency. Despite all their anti-people actions he has been assisting the people generously and performing his legislative functions judiciously.” Ogunkolade said.

GAO in his remark, dedicates the victorious judgment firstly to his beloved Mother, Hon. (Mrs.) Risikat Ajoke Adegeye of blessed memory, the good people of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Executives and Members of Labour Party.
“It is important for parents to leave behind an enduring legacy for the benefits of their children and generations unborn. I have enjoyed my beloved Mother’s legacies in the course of this election.
“The victorious judgment of the Court of Appeal has further strengthened my resolve to deliver on my campaign promises. The people will enjoy quality representation at the Federal Parliament.

“Being magnanimous in victory I extend olive branch to the appellants and urge them to join me in this assignment of repositioning Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency to greater heights. Litigations are over and its now time for this business of governance.” Adegeye said.