By Taiwo Ajala
Singer and social activist, Bankole Wellington also known as Banky W of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can begin to walk on the clouds as there is hope he might be election as a member of the House of Representatives for Eti Osa Federal Constituency.
The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos State, yesterday invalidated the election victory of Thaddeus Atta of the Labour Party as the duly elected representative for Eti Osa Federal Constituency.
The tribunal has also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days in all polling units where voting did not take place.
Banky W alongside the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro had both filed petitions challenging the result of the election which gave them 18,668 and 16,901 votes respectively against Atta’s 24,075 votes.
Obanikoro was the first to respond on his social media handle thanking the judges for the ruling.
“It was all smiles at the tribunal court when it was confirmed that there would be a supplementary election in several polling units under the Eti-Osa Federal constituency where the election did not take place. I believe that our justice system is on the right track and I praise the judges for this ruling which adheres to the components of the Constitution. Work starts now,” he said.
Banky W said: “ It is possible, still.”
But Atta of the Labour Party was having none of it. “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 said.
