The National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, convened at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos, has rendered null and void the election victory of Mr. Thaddeus Atta from the Labour Party, previously declared as the legitimate representative for Eti Osa Federal Constituency.
In a landmark judgment delivered late Monday night, the tribunal has declared the elections in Eti Osa Federal Constituency inconclusive. Consequently, it has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a supplementary election within the next 90 days specifically in 33 polling units where the elections did not take place.
Mr. Thaddeus Atta, in response to the tribunal’s ruling, took to social media, specifically X (formerly Twitter), on Tuesday morning to downplay the decision, emphasizing that he was not “sacked” by the court.
“No cause for alarm! I am here to clarify that I was not sacked. The Tribunal has simply ordered a re-run (supplementary election) in the 32 polling units where elections did not hold. We will continue working for Etiosa.
“I urge constituents to keep calm as we are unshaken. We will get through this together. Constituency’s progress! 💪🗳️
Hon. Atta Achief Thaddeus, HOR, EtiOsa Constituency. #EtiOsaConstituency,” he posted.
The verdict has ignited significant attention and discourse on social media, particularly due to the involvement of prominent candidates. Bankole Wellington (commonly known as Banky W) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured the second position in the polls, and Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro (IBO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), both submitted petitions contesting the results of the February 25 elections. This development has amplified the public’s interest in the ongoing electoral dispute.
Banky W on X shared that “It is possible. Still,” indicating that a re-run might be his hope after all.
In the meantime, Obanikoro’s camp has been actively seeking support ever since this news emerged.
It’s worth recalling that INEC had officially declared Atta as the victor, amassing 24,075 votes, with Banky W securing 18,668 votes, and IBO tallying 16,901 votes, according to the election results.