Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, an aspiring member of the House of Representatives and a notable artist, expressed his deep appreciation on Wednesday for the Election Petitions Tribunal’s decision to mandate a re-run election in the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency of Lagos State.
During the February 2023 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission initially declared Mr. Thaddeus Atta of the Labour Party as the winner with 24,075 votes, while Banky W and Ibrahim Obanikoro garnered 18,668 and 16,901 votes, respectively.
Subsequently, Banky W, representing the Peoples Democratic Party, and Ibrahim Obanikoro of the All Progressives Congress filed petitions contesting the election results.
In a recent ruling, the tribunal deemed the February election inconclusive and instructed INEC to conduct a supplementary election within 90 days in 33 polling units where voting did not occur.
Appearing on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” program, Banky W expressed, “For me, it’s nothing short of a miracle that we are given another opportunity to conclude the election.
This underscores the resilience, faith, and collective determination of the people who are committed to rebuilding our democracy.”
He stressed the significance of allowing people to participate in the electoral process and highlighted the frustration felt by many who were unable to cast their votes in the previous election due to various issues, including violence and voter suppression.
Banky W concluded by emphasizing the importance of the court’s decision to ensure that every vote is counted and every citizen’s voice is heard, regardless of their political affiliation.
