LP, Rhodes-Vivour secure leave to inspect INEC sensitive materials for Lagos governorship election
Lagos Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Ikeja has granted the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Mr Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, leave to inspect sensitive materials deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the March 18 elections conducted in the state.
This is as the applicants formally commenced legal proceedings challenging the governorship election conducted in state.
In an order obtained, Wednesday, March 29, the court (tribunal) granted leave to Mr. Rhodes-Vivour and the Labour Party access to inspect ‘all other electoral forms and other relevant documents and to obtain from the 3rd Respondents (INEC) certified true copies of same.’
The petition filed by Rhodes-Vivour listed the Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as first, second and third respondents, respectively.
The tribunal granted LP and Rhodes-Vivour; “An Order granting leave to the petitioners/appellants to move an dfor the tribunal to hear and determine the present application outside the pre-hearing session.
“An order directing the 3rd Respondent by itself, agents officers and /or privies to permit the petitioners/applicants acting through their agents, privies, experts and or counsel to inspect the originals of INEC forms EC8A, EC8A (1), EC8VP, EC8A (11), EC8B, EC8C(1), EC8B(11), EC8C, EC8C (1), EC8 (11), EC8D, EC8D (11), EC84, EC25, EC40, EC50 and all other electoral forms and other relevant documents and to obtain from the 3rd Respondents certified true copies of same and all other electoral relevant documents in the custody of the 3rd Respondent.”
The Lagos elections petition tribunal is chaired by Justice M.A Sambo who heads a three-man panel which also comprises; Hon. Justice Mikailu Abdullahi and Hon. Justice J.P Braimoh.
Reacting to the development, Rhodes-Vivour wrote via his verified Twitter handle (@GRVlagos):
“Today we got our order to inspect the BVAS and all electoral materials.”
Till date, candidates of the Labour Party (LP) filed 26 separate petitions at the State Elections Tribunal challenging the outcome of the polls, which they allege was fraught with irregularities.
The LP candidates are also seeking the nullification of the March 18 exercise.
While some of the candidates are challenging the February 25 Senatorial and House of Representatives elections, others filed petitions in the state House of Assembly poll of March 18.
The petitions were pasted on the wall of the Rosaline Omotosho Courthouse Ikeja, venue of the tribunal sitting in Lagos State.
