JAMES SHEHU ABIRIYI, J.C.A.: (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the ruling of the National And State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting at Akure Ondo State dismissing the petition of the Appellants on the ground that the Appellants did not comply with the provision of paragraph 18(1) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).
The 1st Respondent and the 1st Appellant were candidates in the elections held on 11th April 2015 to the Ondo State House of Assembly. The 1st Respondent was a candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The 1st Appellant was the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC). At the end of the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (I.N.E.C) declared the 1st Respondent winner of the election and returned him elected as member representing Ilaje Constituency I in the Ondo State House of Assembly.
?Dissatisfied with the declaration and return of the 1st Respondent as winner of the sa…