The Lagos division of the Court of Appeal has sacked the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) member Babajide Owoduni as the lawmaker representing the Ikenne constituency House of Assembly in Ogun State.
Kunle Sobunkola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, was declared the winner of the State Assembly election in the Ikenne state constituency, which was held on the 18th of March, 2023, by the court.
The court appeal with suit number CA/1B/EP/SHA/OG/23/2023 Hon Olakunle Sobukanla & Anor v. INEC & 2 Ors urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Sobunkola Certificate of Return as the right elected member representing Ikenne State Constituency in the Ogun State house of assembly.
News About Nigeria reports that INEC had announced Owodunni as the winner of the election, even though before the election, Owoduni resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and backed off from contesting the election through a letter sent to INEC.
Owodunni proceeded to the High Court in Ogun state and also swore an affidavit of not contesting the election.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) accepted Owoduni’s resignation and wrote to INEC to replace him, but the electoral body didn’t accept the replacement.
Owoduni, however, said that he was kidnapped and forced to sign the withdrawal letters and affidavit at the tribunal.
After withdrawing from the election race, he campaigned for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The appeal court brought out evidence where Owoduni recorded himself saying the PDP does not have a candidate in Ikenne local government and he willingly withdrew his mandate that he doesn’t have anything to do with them again.
According to the tribunal, Owoduni’s claim of duress was rejected and it proved that he truly withdrew from the case.
