AbdulAzeez Olajide Adediran, the Lagos State Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, has lodged a notice of appeal against the September 25 judgment of the state election petition tribunal. The appeal, comprising a 38-page document filed on October 13, features 34 grounds for contestation and is led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Clement Onwuenwunor.
Jandor's appeal targets not only Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu but also the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sanwo-Olu's deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Labour Party, and its candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
Among the grounds of appeal is the assertion that the tribunal incorrectly categorized the disqualification of an election winner as solely a pre-election issue, whereas it's both pre and post-election. Jandor's party reiterates its demand for the disqualification of the APC and Labour Party candidates.
Jandor also disputes the tribunal's decision to strike out the Labour Party and its candidate from his petition, insisting that all parties against whom allegations are made should be involved. He further contends that the tribunal must invalidate Rhodes-Vivour's candidacy in light of alleged infractions.
The appeal also challenges the authenticity of Governor Sanwo-Olu's qualifications, pointing to discrepancies in his academic certificates. Jandor seeks a declaration that both Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat were unqualified to contest the election, and all votes cast for them were wasted. Additionally, he asserts his own qualification as the third-highest vote recipient, deserving to be declared the duly elected Governor of Lagos State. Lastly, he calls for the annulment of Sanwo-Olu's Certificate of Return and the issuance of one to himself
