UPDATED: Supreme Court Gives Judgement on Suit Seeking Ogun Gov, Abiodun’s Sack, Details Emerge

UPDATED: Supreme Court Gives Judgement on Suit Seeking Ogun Gov, Abiodun’s Sack, Details Emerge

  • The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the candidate of the PDP, Ladi Adebutu, against the election of Dapo Abiodun as the governor of Ogun state
  • Legit.ng gathered that a panel of the apex court dismissed the appeal on Friday morning, January 19
  • In a swift reaction to the Supreme Court's verdict, Governor Abiodun paid tributes to his party, the APC, and the people of Ogun state

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 6-year-experience covering politics and elections in Nigeria

Abeokuta, Ogun state - The Supreme Court on Friday, January 19, affirmed the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state.

Channels TV reported that the Supreme Court dismissed Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu's appeal and affirmed Abiodun's victory.

Ogun/Ogun state news/Ogun state news today/Dapo Abiodun
Governor Abiodun’s re-election bid in Ogun state which he won in March 2023 was challenged by the opposition. Photo credit: Mubarak Kolawole Salisu
Source: Facebook

Gov'ship tussle: Supreme Court quashes PDP's appeal

Read also

Supreme court verdict: Ogun PDP concedes defeat, congratulates Gov Abiodun

A five-member panel of the court, in a unanimous judgement a while ago, dismissed Adebutu's appeal. Adebutu is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship election in Ogun state while Abiodun represented the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Nation noted that Justice Tijjani Abubakar, who read the lead judgement, held that Adebutu and his party failed to prove their case.

Justice Abubakar resolved all the issues raised for determination against the appellants and held that the appeal was without merit.

Subsequently, he dismissed it.

Abiodun reacts

In a swift reaction to the Supreme Court's judgement, Governor Abiodun stated that he is "profoundly grateful to the incredible people of Ogun state, our extraordinary political party, the APC, and its dedicated members, as well as other prominent individuals who have supported us unwaveringly".

Read also

Supreme Court judgment: Nasarawa police arrest 38 over protest against Governor Sule’s victory

He said via his verified social media handles:

"We have navigated through numerous stages of the election petition tribunal with success, culminating in the Supreme Court’s ultimate validation of our triumph.
"This confirmation provides undeniable evidence that the citizens of Ogun State bestowed this mandate upon us, entrusting us with the responsibility of creating a more prosperous and harmonious society for all. We embrace this weighty duty and vow to fulfill it diligently."

APC chieftain pleased with judgment

Reacting to the Supreme Court’s verdict, Honourable Akeem Fagbemi, a former chairman of Ipokia local government area (LGA) and erstwhile state treasurer of the APC, Ogun chapter, congratulated Prince Abiodun on his triumph at the Supreme Court.

Reflecting on the judicial decision, Hon. Fagbemi said Governor Abiodun can now fully focus on governance.

Fagbemi told Legit.ng:

“The Supreme Court’s judgement is good for us. The opposition have no choice other than to take it as it were.

Read also

Supreme Court judgement: Ogun governor Abiodun sends message to PDP candidate, Adebutu

“Everyone should support the governor and work towards 2027 with that believe that Ogun state belongs to all of us.
"The governor has won, and that is God’s wish. To me, I take it wholeheartedly.
"I congratulate the governor, I congratulate the APC, and I congratulate Ogun state citizens.
"I believe the governor is ready to concentrate fully on government to move the state forward.”

Abiodun, appointees, go spiritual

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Governor Abiodun and his cabinet members resorted to prayers ahead of the apex court's final verdict in the governorship election battle.

They asked God to grant them victory at the Supreme Court.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Ridwan Adeola avatar

Ridwan Adeola (Current Affairs Editor) Ridwan Adeola Yusuf is a content creator with more than nine years of experience, He is also a Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng. He holds a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State (2014). Ridwan previously worked at Africa Check, contributing to fact-checking research works within the organisation. He is an active member of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI). In March 2024, Ridwan completed the full Google News Initiative Lab workshop and his effort was recognised with a Certificate of Completion. Email: ridwan.adeola@corp.legit.ng.