Akoko Reps Seat: Arch Gbenga Kolawole Testifies Why INEC Erred For Not Declaring Him Winner, Lawmaker Elect As Tribunal Adjourns For Apc And It’s Candidate Adefarati To Open Defense On PDP’s Petition
Ondo state election Petitions tribunal sitting in Akure, the State Capital has adjourned for defence on the petition filed by the People’s Democratic party, PDP and its candidate Architect Gbenga Kolawole challenging validity of All progressives congress, APC and its candidate Adegboyega Adefarati on the ballot of the February 25th, 2023 general election.
The Chairman of the tribunal panel justice Rose Soji adjourned the care till Tuesday 30th of May 2023 for the respondents to open his defence.
Meanwhile, at the resumed hearing on Saturday 27th May, 2023, the Petitioners Architect Gbenga Kolawole testified and elucidated on why tribunal should declare him winner and return him as house of representatives member elect for Akoko South West and East Federal Constituency.
Petitioner’s counsel Barrister Tolu Babaleye pontificated and maintained that the independent National Electoral Commission INEC erred in declaring APC and its candidate winner of the house of representatives seat for Akoko South West and South East Federal in the February 25th polls, citing relevant authorities of the law to back up his argument.
Architect Gbenga Kolawole who was called to testify explained that, since the federal high court in Akure delivered its judgement prior to the general elections stoping APC and its candidate Adegboyega Adefarati from participating in the last national election,and which was subsequently implemented by INEC clearly showed that APC has no candidate as at the time of conducting the national assembly election.
In view of this, Arch Gbenga Kolawole therefore prayed the tribunal to declare him winner and return him as house of representatives member elect for Akoko South West and East Federal Constituency in line with electoral act 2022.
However, counsel to respondents APC and its candidate Olusola Oke SAN rigorously Cross examined the Petitioner if he was aware of the appeal Court Judgement that set aside the lower court verdict which invariably validate APC and its candidate Adegboyega Adefarati’s election and certificate of return.
Though the petitioner indicated that he was aware of the appeal court decision there was no stay of execution of the High court judgement at the time of the election. Therefore the APC did not have a candidate as of the day of the election.
Since petitioner has no more witness to call and closed his case, Justice Rose Soji adjourned for the respondents in the suit to open their defence.
