The senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, on Friday suffered a setback as the Court of Appeal dismissed his suit challenging his sack from the National Assembly. A 3-man panel of the appellate court upheld the verdict of the Kogi State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal which nullified the election of Melaye on account of manifest electoral malpractices. The appellate court in agreeing with the decision of the tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 90 days.
“I just lost my election at the Appeal Court and Fresh election ordered,” Dino Melaye tweeted on Friday.
The Kogi State election tribunal on Friday, August 23, nullified Dino Melaye’s election. Melaye, a candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was declared the winner of the February election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
His victory was challenged in court by Smart Adeyemi, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Adeyemi challenged Melaye’s victory on three grounds of irregularities, over voting and non-compliance with the electoral acts.
The three-man panel led by Justice A. O. Chijioke in a unanimous judgment accepted Adeyemi’s appeal and ordered reelection. Despite the court ruling, Melaye said, “In all things, I give God the Praise.”
He continued that “He who started a good thing will definitely complete it.”
Melaye expressed hope in winning the reelection ordered by the court and asked his supporters to be law-abiding, noting that he and his supporters will “always overcome”.
