By: Ade Adeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), has charged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to immediately set up a Local Government Election Tribunal for the Igbara-Oke Ward 1 Councillorship rerun Election in Ifedore local government area which was conducted on the 10th of this month by ODIEC.
In a petition to the governor and the state Chief Judge, counsel to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mr Femi Emodamori, said the party was ready to challenge the outcome of the rerun election in line with Section 88 of the Local Government Election and Allied Matters Law (2006).
The lawyer said the governor was required by the said Law to set up the election Tribunal in consultation with the Chief Judge, while Section 89 thereof stipulates that an election petition shall be presented to the Tribunal by any aggrieved party/candidate within 14 days from the date of which the election result is declared.
The ADC counsel cautioned that non-set up of the Tribunal for parties to file petition would lead to unspeakable injustice and urged Governor Akeredolu and the state Chief Judge to immediately constitute the Tribunal for the aggrieved parties to ventilate their grievances and seek justice.
Below is the full text of the letter
16th November, 2021
Our Ref: FEE/GOV/IGB/011
The Governor of Ondo State
Governors’ Office,
Alagbaka, Akure
Ondo State.
Your Excellency,
NEED TO IMMEDIATELY CONSTITUTE A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION TRIBUNAL FOR IGBARA-OKE WARD 1 COUNCILLORSHIP RERUN ELECTION HELD ON 10TH NOVEMBER, 2021.
We have been briefed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to challenge the result of the Igbara-Oke Ward 1 Councillorship rerun Election held on 10th November, 2021 as declared by Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) on Thursday, 11 November, 2021.
However, our finding is that up until date, Your Excellency has not set up a Local Government Election Tribunal for the said rerun Election in line with Section 88 of the Local Government Administration, Conduct of Local Government Election and Allied Matters Law, Cap. 87, Vol. 2, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The said Law requires your Excellency to set up the Tribunal in consultation with the Chief Judge, while Section 89 thereof stipulates that an election petition shall be presented to the Tribunal by any aggrieved party/candidate within 14 days “from the date on which the result of the election is declared.”
As a highly respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria, your Excellency would appreciate the danger and unspeakable injustice which the failure or omission to set up the Tribunal before or immediately after rerun Election portends for the rule of law and/or the aggrieved parties.
We believe the omission was not deliberate, considering Your Excellency’s track record of being at the vanguard of advocacy for rule of law and justice to all and sundry.
We are however calling on Your Excellency to immediately constitute the Tribunal for Our Client and any other aggrieved party to ventilate their grievances and seek justice.
Please accept our highest regards
Yours faithfully,
Femi Emmanuel Emodamori
Cc:
1. My Lord the Hon. Chief Judge of Ondo State
Office of the Honourable Chief Judge
Ondo State High Court Complex
Akure.
2. The Hon. Ondo State Attorney-General
& Commissioner for Justice
Ondo State Ministry of Justice
Alagbaka, Akure.
