Daud Olatunji
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has solidified Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s position as the duly elected governor of Lagos State.
The decision came as an eight-member panel at the apex court dismissed the appeal brought forth by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election.
Rhodes-Vivour’s primary contention centered around the eligibility of Kadri Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos, who was sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The LP candidate argued that Hamzat, by allegedly renouncing his Nigerian citizenship in favor of the United States, was not qualified for the position.
However, the Supreme Court scrutinized this claim and found no credible evidence supporting the allegation.
The court, in its deliberation, highlighted that there is no substantial proof indicating the deputy governor had renounced his Nigerian citizenship.
Furthermore, the justices emphasized that even if an individual voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country, no constitutional provision strips them of their Nigerian citizenship, especially if they are citizens by birth.
This ruling not only reinforces the legitimacy of Sanwo-Olu’s victory but also underscores the importance of adhering to constitutional principles regarding citizenship.
The decision by the Supreme Court serves as a decisive resolution to the post-election legal battle, providing clarity on the eligibility criteria for candidates and upholding the democratic process in Lagos State
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