The Claim: There was a claim circulating on November 24, 2023, on X (formerly Twitter) stating that the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, had been sacked by the Court of Appeal, with a rerun ordered in 99 polling units.
Findings: The Explainer fact checker conducted an investigation into the claim and found the following information:
On March 19, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the gubernatorial election in Ogun State. He had defeated Bayo Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the keenly contested election. The APC candidate garnered 276,298 votes, while the PDP candidate received 262,383 votes, securing second place. Biyi Otegbeye of the ADC came in third with 94,754 votes.
Not satisfied with the outcome, Adebutu of the PDP approached the tribunal, alleging non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act and citing irregularities and corrupt practices during the election. He also claimed that over 40,000 voters were disenfranchised due to violence, and he requested that the court nullify the election and declare him the winner. However, the tribunal upheld the governor’s election victory.
Adebutu then took his case to the Appeal Court, seeking to overturn the tribunal’s decision. On November 24, 2023, the Appeal Court, Lagos Division, dismissed Adebutu’s petition and affirmed the reelection of Dapo Abiodun. The majority decision delivered by Justice Shagbaor Ikyegh upheld the election and declaration made by INEC, thereby confirming Dapo Abiodun of the APC as the governor of Ogun State.
It is worth noting that one of the three judges rendered a minority verdict. In the minority decision, Justice Jane Inyang ruled that a fresh election should be conducted by INEC within the next 90 days. However, the majority decision supersedes the minority decision, and thus, Dapo Abiodun’s reelection stands based on the majority decision.
Findings by the Explainer fact checker also reveals that Dapo Abiodun himself has made a statement on his official X page (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude to the people of Ogun State for their support and welcoming the decision of the Appellate Court.
Verdict : The Explainer therefore ascertain that the claim that the Appeal Court sacked Dapo Abiodun and ordered a rerun in 99 polling units is *FALSE*
