The Supreme Court has upheld the victory of Babajide Sanwo-Olu from the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Governor of Lagos State.
Justices Lawal Garba and Adamu Jauro, in a unanimous decision from the five-member panel, affirmed the APC candidate’s win in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
The court dismissed appeals challenging Sanwo-Olu’s victory filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) and Abdulazeez Adediran (Jandor) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The challengers alleged irregularities, malpractices, and non-compliance, questioning Sanwo-Olu’s qualification due to his Deputy Governor’s US citizenship.
The court found no cogent reason to deviate from the tribunal and Court of Appeal judgments, confirming Sanwo-Olu’s lawful election. The apex court emphasized that acquiring foreign citizenship does not disqualify a citizen by birth from contesting elections.
Governor Sanwo-Olu secured 762,134 votes, defeating Rhodes-Vivour (312,329 votes) and Jandor (62,449 votes).
