Eti-Osa: Banky W tags Tribunal’s re-run directive a miracle

Bankole Wellington, better known by his stage name Banky W, a singer and candidate for federal office, welcomed the Election Petitions Tribunal’s decision ordering a rerun in the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos State on Wednesday. He called it a miracle that he was given a second chance.

“For me personally, it’s a miracle in and of itself that we get another chance to finish the election,” said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who made a live appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“I think it’s a testament to the power of perseverance, the power of faith, and the collective will of the people who want to participate in the rebuilding of this democracy.”

The decision handed down on Monday declared the election inconclusive, invalidating the victory of Mr. Thaddeus Atta of the Labour Party, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold new elections in 33 polling places within 90 days.

This came after petitions were submitted by Ibrahim Babajide Obanikoro (IBO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Wellington, who finished second.

“People were really frustrated that they didn’t get a chance to participate in that election. And I think that that’s important,” Wellington said.

“It’s an important thing for our democracy that people are not prevented from exercising their constitutional rights to participate in an election.”

The 42-year-old complained that there were over 30 polling places with “almost 30,000 voters” who were prepared to cast a ballot but were unable to do so.

In addition, INEC officers failed to appear at some polling places, according to the musician-turned-politician, who cited instances of violence and voter suppression in specific locales.

On February 25, just after voting, he recalled joining “hundreds, if not almost a thousand” protesters at the collation centre.

“I am particularly grateful that the courts decided that every vote deserves to be counted and every voice deserves to be heard, regardless of who you’re voting for,” he said.

Atta scored 24,075 votes in the Eti-Osa legislative election to emerge as the winner, while Banky W and IBO were said to have scored 18,668 and 16,901 votes, respectively.