Akinlade, APM seek directive to check election documents

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, Adekunle Akinlade, and his party, yesterday filed a motion ex parte before the governorship election petition tribunal, seeking an order compelling INEC to grant them access to the documents used for the March 9 election in the state.

The petitioners said the inspection would assist them institute a petition before the tribunal.

Winner of the election, Dapo Abiodun of All Progressives Congress (APC) and his party were joined as respondents in the application.

In the election, Abiodun got 241,670 votes, while his closest rival, Akinlade, polled 222,153.

According to the results announced by INEC, Gboyega Isiaka of African Democratic Congress (ADC) got 110,422 votes, Buruji Kashamu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 70,290 votes, while Dimeji Bankole of Action Democratic Party (ADP) polled 9,666.

Filing the application on 11 grounds, the petitioners submitted that without a formal order from the tribunal, the respondents would not avail them the required documents to prosecute the case.

The motion, which was filed by the petitioners’ lead counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), was supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and a written address.

Ikpeazu, who got victory for Senator Ademola Adeleke of PDP at the Osun State election petition tribunal, will be leading three other SANs and other 12 lawyers in the case.