Re-run Election Ordered for Oyo State’s Saki West State Constituency

In a significant development, the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Oyo State has ordered a re-run election for the Saki West state constituency. This decision comes following the declaration of Mr. Shittu Ibrahim of the All Peoples Congress (APC) as the winner of the election held on March 18 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The initial results declared by INEC showed that Ibrahim had secured 13,692 votes, narrowly defeating the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Julius Okedoyin, who garnered 13,422 votes. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Okedoyin and the PDP approached the tribunal, alleging over-voting, irregularities, and non-compliance with electoral guidelines.

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The tribunal, comprised of a three-man panel, delivered a unanimous ruling, stating that the petition had merit and that the petitioners had successfully substantiated their allegations. The tribunal pointed to the cancellation of results from Ward 6 Unit 7 and Ward 11 Unit 19 of the constituency, which involved 1,285 voter cards. It concluded that the cancellation could have significantly impacted the election’s outcome.

Despite Ibrahim leading by 270 votes in these two wards, the number of voters disenfranchised by INEC exceeded 1,000. The tribunal believed that allowing these over 1,000 disenfranchised voters to cast their ballots might have changed the election’s result. As a result, the tribunal set aside the certificate of return issued to Mr. Shittu Ibrahim by INEC and ordered a re-run election in Ward 6 Unit 7, and Ward 11 Unit 19 within 90 days.

In response, Mr. Sikiru Adewoye, counsel for Mr. Ibrahim, stated that his client would appeal the tribunal’s judgment. On the other hand, Mr. Yusuf Ogunrinde, the petitioners’ counsel, praised the tribunal’s decision.

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