Ondo election tribunal: PDP, APC, INEC to present 149 witnesses

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will present 149 witnesses before the Election Petition Tribunal adjudicating on the outcome of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

Out of the total, the PDP will call 43 witnesses, INEC will call 19 witnesses, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa will call 32 witnesses, while the APC and Adelami will call 20 and 35 witnesses, respectively.

The PDP, through its candidate in the November 16 governorship election, Agboola Ajayi, had, through their counsel, Ishaka Dikko, filed a petition against the election that produced Aiyedatiwa of the APC as the winner.

Other political parties that filed petitions before the Justice Benson Ogbu-led Election Petition Tribunal were the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

At the inaugural sitting of the Tribunal, witnessed by Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Dr. Olaiyide Adelami, and top politicians across political divides, the Tribunal sought the cooperation of the senior lawyers during the trial.

At the Tribunal to represent the petitioners were Ishaka Dikko and Bankole Joy Akomolafe, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), while Charles Edosan, Bode Olanipekun, H.O. Afolabi, and Tayo Oyetibo SAN represented the respondents, including INEC, APC, Aiyedatiwa, and Adelami.

Justice Ogbu assured all parties involved in the petition matters of fair hearing and appropriate justice. He asked for the cooperation of all counsel in the matter, saying that the overall best interest would be based on the prevalence of the constitution.

He asked counsel not to preempt the decisions of the tribunal, adding that they should not be in haste to address the press but should wait until the final decision of the tribunal.

On his part, Aiyedatiwa said he was not worried about the petition against his victory. He said the election was adjudged as one of the most peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria in recent times.

He said, “There is nothing to worry about. The election was peaceful, as recorded in one of the most peaceful, credible, and transparent elections in Nigeria in recent times. Sitting at the election tribunal is a way to listen to what the opposition is trying to say.

“You know learning is a continuum; even as a governor, I still want to learn about what is going on in the judiciary arm of government, especially having the crème de la crème in the legal profession sitting also in the panel as well-learnt justices. It is an exercise to me, and I want to be part of it. There is nothing to worry about.”