The Chairman of the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Benson Ogubu, has assured all parties involved in the November 16 governorship election of a fair hearing and justice. Justice Ogubu gave this assurance during the tribunal’s inaugural sitting and pre-trial conference held in Akure, the state capital.
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Other members of the tribunal include Justice Daurabu Sikkam and Justice Imelda Etiape.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are set to present a total of 149 witnesses before the tribunal. The breakdown of witnesses is as follows:
- PDP: 43 witnesses
- INEC: 19 witnesses
- Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa (APC): 32 witnesses
- APC: 20 witnesses
- Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami: 35 witnesses
The PDP and its candidate in the November 16 election, Agboola Ajayi, filed a petition challenging the election results that declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC as the winner. The petition, filed through their counsel, Ishaka Dikko, alleges that the election outcome did not reflect the wishes of the electorate.
Other political parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also filed petitions seeking the cancellation of the election results. The petitioners argued that the APC candidates were not qualified to contest the election.
However, the respondents, in their replies, countered that the issue of qualification had already been determined by the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal. They urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, state APC Chairman Ade Adetimehin, and other top politicians from across the political spectrum attended the inaugural sitting and pre-trial conference.
Representing the petitioners at the tribunal were Ishaka Dikko and Bankole Joy Akomolafe, SAN. The respondents, including INEC, APC, Aiyedatiwa, and Adelami, were represented by Charles Edosan, Bode Olanipekun, H.O. Afolabi, and Tayo Oyetibo, SAN.
During the sitting, Justice Ogubu urged the counsels to refrain from preempting the tribunal’s decisions and avoid rushing to address the press before the final ruling. He also emphasized that the use of phones or any recording devices to capture the tribunal’s proceedings or the faces of the justices would not be allowed.
The tribunal fixed February 10 for all parties to file their applications, preliminary objections, and replies on points of law to ensure the case proceeds without delay.
Speaking to journalists after the sitting, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed confidence in the credibility of the election, stating that the people of Ondo State had overwhelmingly voted for the right candidate.
“I am confident in the credibility of the election. The people of Ondo State spoke loud and clear, and their choice was respected,” he said.
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