The All Progressives Congress candidate for Ogun-East Senatorial District in the Saturday, March 28, 2015 election, Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, April 23, 2015, filed a petition at the Election Petitions Tribunal in Ogun State, alleging that the Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, was not qualified to contest in the elections in the first instance and that he did not possess the highest amount of lawful votes required by law.
The petition reads thus: “The election of Buruji Kashamu is invalid by reason of substantial non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2015 (as amended), the manual for Election Officials 2015, the guidelines issued for the conduct of the election.”
“The election of Kashamu is invalid by reason of corrupt practices and electoral malpractices perpetrated by the first respondents in person and members and agents of the 1st and 2nd respondents in the places mentioned in this petition.
“Kashamu was not qualified to contest the election.”
Abiodun enjoined the tribunal to nullify all the results from polling units and wards where the requisite forms were not completed, dated, signed or stamped by the concerned officials.
Responding to the claims through his media aide, Austin Oniyokor, Kashamu stated that he is ready to meet anyone at the tribunal.
“The claims by the APC are totally unfounded. Ordinarily, we would not have dignified them with a response. You can see that the statement is lacking in substance. If they say there were rigging, intimidation and manipulation during the election, they should supply the details, rather than hiding under some nebulous excuses that say nothing.
“At any rate, the Electoral Act has made provision for the ventilation of issues arising from an election. They should go to the tribunal to prove their case,” he said.
