OBASEKI J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): On the 19th day of October, 1983, after hearing all counsel appearing in this appeal, I dismissed the appeal and reserved my reasons till today. I now give my reasons for the judgment.
On the 13th day of August, 1983, the Federal Electoral Commission conducted the gubernatorial election in Oyo State to the office of Governor of the State. Following the close of counting of the votes cast at the election, the returning officer appointed by the Federal Electoral Commission for Oyo State gubernatorial election, Mr. S. S. Ajibade, declared Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo the first respondent, duly elected. He contested the election under the sponsorship of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). Chief Bola Ige, the petitioner/appellant, was also a candidate at the election, having been sponsored by the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
There were four other candidates, one each being sponsored by the NPP, the GNPP, the PRP and the NAP respectively.…