Former Chairman, Ibadan North Local Government Mr Ademola Omotosho has challenged the victory of the All Progressive’s Congress’, APC, candidate, in the February 23 House Representatives election Mr. Olaide Akinremi for not qualifying to contest, InsideOyo.com has gathered.
Responding to an application, challenging the competence of the petition before the Oyo State National and House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, counsel to the petitioner, Mr. Bolaji Agoro said the winner of the election is an ex convict.
Radio Nigeria reports that Mr. Agoro said the issue of qualification in election could be raised either before or after the election contrary to the submission of the respondent that it was a pre-election matter.
He said the conviction was less than ten years, which did not qualify him to contest any election in Nigeria. He said he had 14 witnesses to proof his case
Earlier counsel to the winner of the election, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Lasun Sanusi had appealed to the Tribunal to strike out the petition on the ground of jurisdiction, saying the issue ought have been raised before the election.
Reacting to their various submissions, chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Anthony Akpovi suspended ruling on the application and ordered the immediate commencement of hearing on the application.
The case has been adjourned till May 24 for hearing
