Tribunal affirms Ajimobi’s election

It was sweet victory for Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi and the All Progress Congress (APC) as the three-man electoral tribunal led by Justice Mohammed Mayaiki upheld the victory of Ajimobi in the April 11 governorship election in the State

Justice Mayaiki in almost four hours judgment, which was read amidst tight security, said the election of Ajimobi was held in substantially compliant with the electoral law. The other members, Justices Muhammed Karaye and J.E.Ikede also concurred.

Accord Party (AP) candidate, Senator Rashidi Ladoja had gone to the tribunal to challenge the victory of Ajimobi

He alleged irregularities and non compliance with the electoral act, citing the failure of the electoral officers to adhere strictly to the use of card readers for the election.

The AP candidate alleged that he won in 22 of the 33 local government councils and should be declared winner or in the alternative the election should be cancelled and a rerun be held.

Ajimobi, his party (APC), the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Rufus Akeju and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were the respondents in the petition.

Ladoja and his party, represented by Richard Ogunwole (SAN) had alleged that the return of Ajimobi as the winner of the election was improper having failed to comply with the electoral law by engaging in various forms of malpractices.

Ajimobi’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN,) countered the petitioner and asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition in its entirety.
Justice Mayaiki while dismissing the petition contended that the petitioner woefully failed to prove his various allegations’ bothering on malpractices, violence, rigging and other electoral vices.

In the meticulous analysis of the evidences given by the witnesses, the tribunal h‎eld that there was no detailed activity to match the evidence, describing their submissions as simplistic and general allegation.

The tribunal further posited that the evidence adduced by the witnesses had no evidential value and the exhibits not related to petitioner’s case.

Dismissing the evidence given by the witnesses further, the tribunal said their evidence were contradictory because, despite their claim that there were no elections in some places, they in another breath agreed that there were elections in their areas and that they even voted.

The tribunal thus averred that contradictory evidence had no value.

Meanwhile Ajimobi has hailed his victory at the tribunal attributing it to God and the people of the state who made it possible for him to break the second term jinx.