Isiaka, others file petitions at polls tribunal

THE Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal began sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital yesterday with a pledge to carry out its assignment with the “fear of God, impartiality and zero tolerance for corruption.”

Justice Ebiowei Tobi assured that he and his colleagues would strictly adhere to their constitutional responsibility and he to oath they took.

As at yesterday, three candidates who contested the Saturday, March 28 and Saturday, April 11 elections had filed petitions.

They are Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (PDP), Prince Dapo Abiodun (APC) who is challenging the result of the Ogun East Senatorial District which was won by Prince Buriji Kashamu (PDP) as well as Biyi Ismail, the APC candidate who is challenging the results of the House of Representatives election in Ijebu-North/Ijebu North-East and Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency which was won by Mr. Adekoya Adesegun of PDP.

Isiaka was defeated by the incumbent, Governor Amosun of APC.

But Isiaka speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta yesterday, said: “We assure Ogun State people that the mandate which they freely gave me will be reclaimed via the courts of law. It shall be pursued up to the highest level of judicial intervention till justice is attained”.

According to Isiaka, “On the night of that election and as polling booth results filtered in across the State, verifiable via our party agents, I had a clear lead in fourteen local governments while the gap was very close in the six other council areas. It was however a shocker we got when INEC announced figures from the six council areas of Ogun Central Senatorial District and Ado-Odo/Ota in Ogun West Senatorial District”.

“Whereas, the general low voter turnout across the State and particularly in these Council Areas was a major talking point earlier that day, the results declared thereafter is a further confirmation of the electoral heist that occurred that day.

“We have obtained copy of the complete results and have done our due diligence on it. We heard from our officers from the field that day and we can emphatically state that the result is a manifestation of unprecedented manipulation, falsification of results, usage of PVCs (Permanent Voters Cards) by unauthorised and unaccredited APC supporters, usage of fake polling booths and several other infractions”.
“My desire to make life more abundant for the people of Ogun State is very much on course. What is called governance in Ogun today must not be allowed to continue.”