Ekiti election tribunal latest news

Here are the latest news updates on the Ekiti State Election Tribunal:

Latest Update (March 2023): The Ekiti State Election Tribunal has nullified the election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ordered a fresh election in the state. The tribunal held that Oyebanji was not validly elected as the governor of Ekiti State. The tribunal's decision was based on the petition filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bisi Kolawole.

Background: The Ekiti State governorship election was held on June 18, 2022. Oyebanji of the APC won the election, defeating Kolawole of the PDP. However, Kolawole challenged the outcome of the election at the tribunal, alleging that the election was marred by irregularities and violence.

Tribunal's Ruling: In its ruling, the tribunal held that the election was characterized by widespread irregularities, including over-voting, thumb-printing, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. The tribunal also held that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to conduct a free and fair election.

Consequences: The tribunal's decision has far-reaching consequences for the political landscape in Ekiti State. Oyebanji's victory has been nullified, and a fresh election will be conducted to determine the next governor of the state. The APC has vowed to appeal the tribunal's decision, while the PDP has welcomed the ruling.

Reactions: The reactions to the tribunal's decision have been mixed. While some have hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy, others have criticized it as a setback for the APC. The APC has accused the tribunal of being biased and has vowed to appeal the decision.

Next Steps: The next steps will depend on the outcome of the appeal process. If the APC's appeal is unsuccessful, a fresh election will be conducted in Ekiti State. If the appeal is successful, the tribunal's decision will be set aside, and Oyebanji's victory will be upheld.

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