Election tribunal sacks Dino Melaye as Kogi West senator

The Kogi State National Assembly/State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has sacked Dino Melaye as the representative of the Kogi West senatorial district in the Senate.

Dino Melaye beat his closest challenger, Smart Adeyemi, and other candidates in the election that was conducted on February 23, 2019 for a second term in the upper legislative chamber.

However, Adeyemi challenged Melaye's victory on grounds of irregularities, over voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

Former senator, Smart Adeyemi [Premium Times] ece-auto-gen

The tribunal agreed with him and annulled the election in a ruling delivered on Friday, August 23.

In a unanimous judgement, the three-member panel, led by Justice A. O. Chijioke, ordered for a fresh election to be conducted in the senatorial district.

Immediately after the ruling, Melaye announced that he'll challenge the tribunal's decision at the Appeal Court. He described the ruling as a travesty and miscarriage of justice.

"I have confidence in the appeal court to right the wrongs as contained in the pronouncements of the judgement.

"I also want to tell those jubilating that their jubilation will be short lived while appealing to my teaming supporters to remain calm as their mandate is safe and secured and cannot be taken through any mischievous means," he said.