Banky W, Obanikoro lose out as Appeal Court reinstates Labour Party’s Thaddeus Atta as Eti Osa Rep member

The Appeal Court has reinstated Thaddeus Atta of the Labour Party as the duly elected House of Representatives member representing Eti Osa Federal Constituency.

The previous decision by the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal, held in Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos state, had nullified Atta’s election victory.

However, the recent judgment delivered by the Appeal Court ruled that the elections were conclusive, overturning the tribunal’s directive for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days in specific polling units.

This legal battle involved Nigerian singer and actor Bankole Wellington, known as Banky W of the Peoples Democratic Party, who was declared the runner-up in the February 2023 election, and the All Progressives Congress candidate, Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro.

Both Banky W and Obanikoro had filed petitions contesting the election results.

The Appeal Court’s decision, reinstating Thaddeus Atta as the rightful House of Representatives member for Eti Osa Federal Constituency, altered the previous outcome and validated Atta’s initial victory.