Lagos: Appeal Court Dismisses LP’s Rhodes-Vivour Case Against Sanwo-Olu

The Appeal Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed the appeal of the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour challenging the victory of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the winner of the March 18 election for the Office of the Governor of Lagos State.

Naija News reports that the Appeal Court held unanimously that the lower tribunal was correct to hold that Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat were qualified to contest, contrary to the claims of the LP and Gbadebo.

The court held: “The decision of the lower court is affirmed and the appeal is dismissed.”

The justices held: “No case of renunciation of citizenship has been established by the LP and Gbadebo against the 3rd respondent (Hamzat) in accordance with the constitution.

“No evidence of oath of allegiance to the United States and renunciation of Nigerian citizenship was placed before the tribunal (by the LP and Gbadebo) –

“No document to prove that 3rd respondent (Hamzat) was no longer a citizen of Nigeria. It is incumbent on the appellants (LP, Gbadebo) to prove their claim.”

The appeal court had earlier dismissed the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Olajide Adediran, challenging the declaration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Governor.

It held that the appellants failed to prove their allegations of forgery and non-qualification against Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

The justices held: “Even though they were all pre-election matters, the appellants (PDP and Adeniran) still failed to prove them. The appellants came empty-handed and left empty-handed. They merely enjoyed their day in court. Their petition is dismissed.”