On Friday, 19th January, 2024, the Supreme Court delivered its final judgment, solidifying Dapo Abiodun’s position as the duly elected Governor of Ogun State.
The legal proceedings were initiated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Oladipo Adebutu, who contested the election results.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had initially declared Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner, polling 276,298 votes, surpassing Adebutu of the PDP, who garnered 262,383 votes.
Unsatisfied with the declared outcome, Adebutu pursued legal avenues, starting with the Ogun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
He argued that he secured the highest number of valid votes during the election, emphasizing his belief that INEC should have declared him the rightful winner.
Despite Adebutu’s assertions, the three-man tribunal led by Justice Hamidu Kunaza dismissed his petition, affirming Abiodun as the legitimate victor.
Persisting in his pursuit for a favorable ruling, Adebutu escalated the case to the appeal court, facing a similar fate as the tribunal upheld Abiodun’s victory.
The climax of this legal saga unfolded on Friday when the Supreme Court, after careful consideration, dismissed the appeal filed by the PDP and Oladipo Adebutu.
The highest court declared the appeal lacking in merit, conclusively concluding the prolonged legal battle surrounding the outcome of the 2023 governorship election in Ogun State.
Ada Peter
