6th July, 2015
Henry Ojelu
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ikeja has fixed 27 July for the hearing of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate of Surulere Federal Constituency I of Lagos State, Mr. Tony Ashikodi, challenging the declaration of Dr. Olufemi Gbajabiamila of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) as winner of the 28 March election.
Ashokodi is challenging the victory of the former Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Gbajabiamila as the winner of the Surulere Federal Constituency I of Lagos State, in the House of Representatives election.
The PDP candidate, through his lawyer, Mr. Kalu Onuah, had petitioned the three-man tribunal headed by Justice C.U. Anwuka, alleging irregularities during the election which, he said, breached the provisions of Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) approved guidelines for the polls.
Joined as respondent in the suit is INEC.
At Monday’s sitting, the Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Anwuka struck out all pending applications earlier filed by both the 1st and 2nd respondents, Gbajabiamila and INEC respectively as requested by their lawyers, Messer Dele Adeoti and C.N. Olaitan.
Justice Anwuka subsequently adjourned the matter till 27 July for hearing of the substantive petition.