The Labour Party’s National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, has reassured the party’s stakeholders and supporters that they are not concerned about the nullification of Seyi Sowunmi, the representative of Ojo Federal Constituency in Lagos State at the House of Representatives. Edun stated that the party has officially appealed the judgment in question.
Sowunmi was removed from office by the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Lagos, with the All Progressives Congress candidate, Lanre Ogunyemi, declared as the rightful winner. The tribunal ruled that Sowunmi, the Labour Party candidate, was not qualified to contest the election.
Edun clarified that the nullification doesn’t necessarily mean Sowunmi must immediately leave his position. According to Nigerian law, an elected official remains in office until the final determination of the matter at the Supreme Court. The case is currently at the Court of Appeal, and the option to appeal further to the Supreme Court remains open.
Edun also criticized the faction led by Lamidi Apapa within the Labour Party for attempting to mislead regarding a recent judgment from the Appeal Court in Abuja. He emphasized that Apapa had no authority to act as the national chairman and clarified that the restraining order on another faction was an interim injunction subject to appeal. He cautioned against pre-judging matters still under legal review and stressed the importance of adhering to democratic principles and the rule of law.