THE Election Petition Tribunal in Kogi State on Friday sacked Sen. Dino Melaye as Senate-elect representing Kogi West Senatorial District.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Dino as winner of his constituency after the February 23 election.
Melaye polled 85,395 votes to win Sen. Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who got 66, 901 votes.
The Tribunal, however, made the verdict based two factors – over-voting and non-compliance with the electoral act, thus called for a fresh poll.
Adeyemi, his main challenger from the APC had shortly after the poll petitioned the tribunal to complain over irregularities in the National Assembly election. He also cited non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Meanwhile, Dino is already contesting for the governorship position in the state and has commenced campaign.
Report by Vanguard says that the three-man panel chaired by Justice A.O Chijioke, unanimously accepted Adeyemi’s argument, thus ordered for re-election.
On Tribunal judgement. No cause 4 alarm at all. Even if it went my way they will still go to the Appeal Court. Our mandate can not be taken. We will get judgment at the Appeal Court. There will be fresh election in Kogi West bc I will be Governor. For my Senate mandate no shaking
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@dino_melaye) August 23, 2019
But, Melaye, reacting via his social media handle, discarded the judgement on the election, stressing that he would emerge next governor of the state.
“On Tribunal judgement. No cause for alarm at all. Even if it went my way they will still go to the Appeal Court. Our mandate cannot be taken. We will get judgment at the Appeal Court.
“There will be a fresh election in Kogi West because I will be governor. For my Senate mandate, no shaking,” he stated.
Olugbenga heads the Investigations Desk at The ICIR. Do you have a scoop? Shoot him an email at oadanikin@icirnigeria.org. Twitter Handle: @OluAdanikin