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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Justice Garba Lawal, who read the lead judgement,dismissed the appeal filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party.
He held that the deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, was duly qualified to contest the election.
The court held that the deputy governor’s acquisition US Citizenship didn’t disqualify him from contesting the election since he’s a Nigerian citizen by birth.
“Acquiring the citizenship of another country doesn’t deny him the right to contest an election.
“By virtue of Section 29 of the constitution a person only loses his right if he renounces his Nigerian citizenship.
“Pledging allegiance to another country doesn’t take any of your rights if you are a Nigerian citizen by birth,” the court held.
The apex court also dismissed the appeal filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Azeez Adediran, aka Jandor.
Justice Adamu Jauro, who read the lead judgment, described PDP and Adediran’s appeals as academic exercise.