Assembly Tribunal: Banky W opens up on Tribunal Verdict

A House of Representatives hopeful and artiste, Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, on Wednesday, expressed his gratitude for the Election Petitions Tribunal ruling that ordered a rerun in the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos State.

In the February 2023 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the Labour Party’s candidate, Mr. Thaddeus Atta, as the winner of the poll with 24,075 votes, while Wellington and Obanikoro had 18,668 and 16,901 votes, respectively.

Following the results of the election, Wellington, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Ibrahim Obanikoro of the All Progressives Congress filed petitions challenging the election results.

The tribunal, in its judgment on Monday, declared the February election inconclusive and ordered INEC to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days in 33 polling units where elections did not hold.

Wellington made it known in an interview:  “For me personally, it’s a miracle in and of itself that we get another chance to finish the election.

“I think it’s a testament to the power of perseverance, the power of faith, and the collective will of the people who want to participate in the rebuilding of this democracy.”

 “People were really frustrated that they didn’t get a chance to participate in that election. And I think that that’s important,” Wellington said.