Ayo Arise
The court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State today upheld the decision of the Ekiti State Election Petition’s Tribunal annulling the election of Senator Ayo Arise.

It directed that a rerun poll be held within 90 days in line with the tribunal’s order.

Delivering judgment on the appeal filed by Arise, Justice Jumai Sankey declared that the conduct of the April 21,2007 National Assembly election did not substantially comply with provision of the Electoral Act.

The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Justice Sankey said, should not have declared Arise the winner of the election.

Action Congress (AC) candidate Olubunmi Adetunmbi had gone to the tribunal to challenge Arise’s election.

The tribunal ruled in Adetunmbi’s favour, prompting Arise to go on appeal.

Sen. Ayo Arise was extensively implicated in the drama that surrounded the last Ekiti Governship rerun election.