APC Senatorial Candidate Contests Kashamu’s Election at Tribunal
The All Progressives Congress Senatorial candidate in Ogun East in the March 28 National Assembly election, Dapo Abiodun, has challenged the victory of Buruji Kashamu, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate at the state National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal to challenge.
Kashamu was declared winner of the election by the returning officer of the zone, Prof. Babatunde Ikotun after polling 99,540 votes to defeat Abiodun and seven other contestants.
According to Abiodun, Kashamu was not qualified to contest the election and that he didn’t score the highest number of lawful votes as required by law. He also accused Kashamu, the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission and the state Resident Electoral Commissioner of failing to comply with the electoral act.
His petition reads, “The 1st Respondent, Prince Buruji Kahamu, was not duly elected by majority of the lawful votes cast at the election and therefore did not meet the requirements of the law to be returned as the winner of the election.
“The election of the 1st Respondent, Prince Buruji Kashamu, is invalid by reason of substantial non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2015 (as amended), the Manual for Election Officials 2015, the guidelines issues for the conduct of the election and the law in the conduct of the election.
“The election of the 1st Respondent, Prince Buruji Kashamu, is invalid by reason of corrupt practices and electoral malpractices perpetrated by the 1st Respondents in person and members and agents of the 1st and 2nd Respondents in the places mentioned in this petition.
“The 1st Respondent, Prince Buruji Kashamu, was not qualified contest the election.”
Abiodun urged the court to nullify all the results from polling units or wards where the requisite forms were not completed, dated, signed or stamped by the concerned officials.
