There was jubilation in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday as the National Assembly election petition tribunal affirmed the election of Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonnu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the senator representing Oyo Central.
Accord’s Oyebisi Ilaka urged the tribunal to remove Mrs. Sunmonnu and declare him winner.
He alleged that there was massive rigging, over-voting, illegal thumb printing and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
The tribunal chairman, Justice J.G Abundaga, dismissed the petition on the grounds that the petitioner failed to present substantial evidence to support his petition.
According to Justice Abundaga, the petitioner failed to bring any evidence to back his claim on dual citizenship while the first respondent brought two witnesses to testify that she is an indigene of Oyo town.
Jubilation erupted within and outside the court as Justice Abundaga dismissed the petition and upheld the election that brought in the former speaker of the State Assembly.
“God gave me victory. I have never doubted my God because He is a merciful God. Nobody can upturn the victory God has given me. I will advise the opposition to accept defeat and shun politics of hatred,” Mrs. Sunmonnu said.