CHIMA CENTUS NWEZE, J.C.A (Delivering the Leading Judgment): On January 6, 2012, this court pronounced judgment in the above appeal. This, it did pursuant section 9 (8) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Second Alteration) Act (No 2) of 2010. The court promised to adduce reasons in support of the judgment at a later date. We now do so.
The third respondent herein conducted elections into the Kwara State House of Assembly in respect of the Afon Constituency on April 26, 2011. It declared the first respondent winner of the said election. Dissatisfied with that declaration, the appellants beseeched the National and State House of Assembly Elections petitions Tribunal, Kwara State (hereinafter simply referred to as the tribunal) with a petition against the election and return of the first respondent as aforesaid.
At the close of the case, the tribunal dismissed the petition in its judgment dated November 13, 2011. Aggrieved by the outcome of the petition, they have a…