Supreme Court dismisses Adebutu’s appeal, affirms Abiodun election

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Hon Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the election of Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun. 

Adebutu’s appeal contends that the election of Governor Abiodun did not comply with the electoral laws and he did not score the lawful majority votes. He was therefore asking the court to void his victory.

In its lead judgement that was prepared by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, the apex court said it found no reason to nullify the election victory of Governor Abiodun, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The apex court upheld the earlier verdict of the Court of Appeal, which on November 22, 2023, dismissed the case the PDP and its candidate raised against the election.

“This appeal is unmeritorious, and it is accordingly dismissed,” the court held.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared that Governor Abiodun polled a total of 276,298 votes to defeat his closest rival, Adebutu of the PDP, who garnered a total of 262,383 votes.

Dissatisfied with the outcome of the poll, Adebutu approached the Ogun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, insisting that he was the valid winner of the gubernatorial contest.

He, among other things, alleged that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

Aside from alleging that the election was marred by irregularities and corrupt practices, Adebutu alleged that over 40,000 voters from his strongholds were disenfranchised due to violence.