Tribunal Orders Supplementary Polls For Attah, Banky W, Obanikoro

National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos has nullified the election of the Labour Party’s candidate for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, Hon. Thaddeus Attah.

The tribunal, in a unanimous judgment delivered on Monday night, declared the elections inconclusive and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days in 33 polling units where elections did not hold.

The PDP’s Bankole Wellington (Banky W), who was declared second in the polls, and the APC’s Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro had both filed petitions to challenge the elections of Feb. 25th, 2023.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Attah winning the February 25 election, having scored 24,075 votes, while Banky W and Obanikoro were said to have achieved 18,668 and 16,901 votes, respectively.

In his petition, Banky W had argued that the respondent was, at the time of the election, not qualified to contest the election and that the election was invalid because of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

The popular musical and actor had also contended that Respondent was not duly elected by a majority of the lawful votes cast at the election.

In a post shared by Attah on his X handle (@_JtAtta) on Tuesday morning, he disclosed he was not sacked and there is “No cause for alarm.”

“I am here to clarify that I was not sacked. The tribunal has simply ordered a re-run (supplementary election) in the 32 polling units where elections did not hold. We will continue working for Eti-osa. I urge constituents to keep calm as we are unshaken. We will get through this together,” he added.

In a post similar to the reaction to the election, Banky W, on Monday night wrote “It is possible. Still,” on his X  verified handle.