Supreme Court Dismisses Rhode-Vivour’s Suit Against Sanwo-Olu

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour seeking to void the election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

In a judgment on Friday, January 12, the apex court held that the appeal was unmeritorious.

Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, in the lead judgment, held that the acquisition of the citizenship of the United States by Deputy Governor, Femi Hamzat did not rob him of his Nigerian citizenship, being a citizen by birth.

Justice Garba held a Nigerian citizen by birth, who acquires citizenship of another country cannot be qualified from contesting for an elective position, except where the person renounces the Nigerian citizens in a manner provided by Section 29 of the Constitution.

He further held that Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat were qualified to contest the election.

The court affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which earlier upheld the election of Sanwo-Olu.