The governorship election petitions tribunal for Ondo State November 16, 2024 gubernatorial election on Friday commenced sitting in Akure,the state capital.
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP),its candidate,Hon Agboola Ajayi, through their attorney, Ishaka Dikko, filed petition against the declaration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of All Progressives Congress(APC),as the winner of the election.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) filed petitions before the tribunal headed by Justice Benson Ogbu.
Besides,all the parties in the election,including the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC),will present 149 witnesses before the tribunal.
PDP wants the tribunal to dismiss the election results because they run contrary to the wishes of the electorate in the state.The party also said the candidate of APC did not qualify for the election.
The respondents told Justice Ogubu and his colleagues on the tribunal, Justices Daurabu Sikkam and Imelda Etiape, that the issue of qualifications mentioned by the petitioners has been determined at the Federal High Court and the Federal Court of Appeal.
They prayed the Tribunal to dismiss the petitions.
Governor Aiyedatiwa,his Deputy, Dr. Olaiyide Adelami,and top politicians across the political parties, witnessed the inaugural sitting of the Tribunal.
The Tribunal sought the cooperation of the attorneys as the proceedings advances.
Ishaka Dikko and Bankole Joy Akomolafe, SAN,represented the petitioners, while Charles Edosan, Bode Olanipekun,H.O. Afolabi, Tayo Oyetibo SAN, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, represented the respondents, including INEC, APC, Aiyedatiwa, and Adelami.
Among the 149 witnesses to be invited, PDP would call 43, the INEC 19,and Aiyedatiwa 32,while APC and Adelami would invite 20 and 35 witnesses respectively.
Addressing the court, Justice Ogbu assured fair hearing and appropriate justice.
He declared that the constitution would guide the activities of the Tribunal.
The chairman of the Tribunal declared that the use of phones or any device in recording and capturing the tribunal’s proceedings and the faces of justices would not be allowed.
He adjourned to February 10 for attorneys to the parties to file all their applications, preliminary objections, and reply on the point of law for the case to proceed without delay.
Governor Aiyedatiwa told newsmen he was not unruffled by the petitions against his victory.
He described his election was 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 and recorded as one of the most peaceful, credible, and transparent elections in Nigeria in recent times. Sitting at the election tribunal is a way of listening 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 creme de la crème in legal profession sitting also in the panel are well-learned justices. It is an exercise for me, and I want to be part of it. There is nothing to worry about.”
