The election petition tribunal in Akure has ruled against Nelson Akinsuroju, the All Progressives Congress (APC) legislator representing the Ileoluji/Okeigbo constituency in the Ondo State House of Assembly.

To provide context, in the March 18th, 2023 election for the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Constituency, Akinsuroju, an APC candidate, was initially declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with 10,207 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Babatunde Fadare, who garnered 9,287 votes.

However, Fadare contested the election outcome, citing non-compliance with electoral laws and Akinsuroju's failure to secure the highest lawful votes cast. Fadare also requested the court to declare the election inconclusive and order INEC to hold supplementary elections in six affected units where voting had been disrupted. INEC and the APC were named as respondents in the petition.

The tribunal, led by Chairman Rose Soji, has now issued a judgment declaring the March 18th election as inconclusive. They have ordered a rerun in six affected polling units within the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo local government area of Ondo State, out of the 27 polling units contested by the PDP Candidate.

In response to the ruling, Akinsuroju's legal counsel, Remi Olatubora SAN, expressed dissatisfaction, suggesting that the judgment was biased and based on the moral aspects of the case rather than the competence of the election results. The defense counsel, represented by Barrister Olumide Ogidan, stated that they would study the judgment and file an appeal within the timeframe specified by the Electoral Act of 2022.

Akinsuroju, the legislator who was removed from office, called for calm and reassured the constituents of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo State Constituency that they should remain hopeful. He affirmed that the judgment would be appealed by his legal team, and their mandate would be protected to ensure they continue to enjoy the benefits of democracy, which they have experienced for over four months.