Banky W had in September, secured a re-run verdict from the Lagos State Elections Petition Tribunal
By Kehinde Okeowo
Popular Afrobeats singer and record label owner, Bankole Wellington better known as Banky W will have to wait for another four years to pursue his ambition to represent his constituency at the Green Chamber of the national assembly.
This is because the Appeal Court has declared the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Thaddeus Atta, as the duly elected House of Representatives member representing Eti Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos State.
TheNiche had earlier reported that the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos in September declared the February 25 election inconclusive.
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The judges after due consideration of a petition brought by Banky W challenging Atta’s victory, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days in 33 polling units where elections were not held.
Reacting to the verdict of the Lagos State Election Tribunal, LP candidate, Atta said he will continue working for the people of Etiosa despite the judgment.
He also insisted that the judges merely ordered a re-run in units election didn’t take place and that he was not sacked.
He said: “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,”
However, the Appeal Court on Tuesday after an appeal by the LP candidate, overturned the tribunal’s verdict that the elections were conclusive and affirmed Atta’s victory.
In February, Banky W, who contested as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election was declared the runner-up to eventual winner, Thaddeus Atta, while Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came third.