Tribunal sacks #Ondo PDP lawmaker, declares APC candidate winner . . . The Election Petition Tribunal, Sitting in Akure, has nullified the election of Ondo PDP Federal Lawmaker, Ikengboju Gboluga, who represents #Okitipupa/Irele Federal constituency. . . The court nullified the election of Gboluga for sworing his allegiance to the United Kingdom(UK)having acquired the citizenship of the country. . . According to THE NATION, The court emphasised that he was not eligible to contest for the February 23, National Assembly election for his allegiance with UK. . . The three-man panel headed by Justice Nuhu Adi also declared Albert Akintoye of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election, ordered INEC to issue Certificate of Return to Akintoye after withdrawing same from Gboluga. . . The petitioner wanted the tribunal to declare him winner of the election on two grounds that the first respondent, Gboluga Ikengboju was not validly elected by majority of lawful votes cast. . . Besides, he said Gboluga was not eligible to stand for the election having sworn to an oath of allegiance to the United Kingdom as enunciated by section 66 sub section one of the 1999 constitution. . Justice Adi also said the Ikengboju’s counsel did not oppose the evidence tendered by the petitioner that The PDP lawmaker swore to an oath of allegiance to the UK. He said in line with extant laws the tribunal was convinced that Ikengboju was not eligible to run for the election and therefore nullified his victory . . He, therefore, ordered INEC to issue the petitioner a certificate of return as the first runner up since the votes credited to Ikengboju had been a waste. . . APC Candidate Akintoye expressed gratitude to the Ondo Elections Petition tribunal for upholding his prayers to be declared winner of the February 2019 house of representatives election. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0nJ3qpFvpf/?igshid=k5nm5kblv6zs
