…..We’ll win again, Aiyedatiwa storms Court.
By: Ade Adeleke
Legal battle over the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Dr Olayide Adelami in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State today began at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal adjudicating on the outcome.
From available record, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are to present 149 witnesses before the Tribunal.
The PDP, its candidate in the November 16 governorship election, Hon Agboola Ajayi, had, through their counsel, Ishaka Dikko, filed a petition against the election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC as the winner.
Aside from the main opposition PDP, other political parties that filed petitions before Justice Benson Ogubu-led Election Petition Tribunal were the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Other judges of the Tribunal were Justices Daurabu Sikkam and Imelda Etiape.
The petitioners are asking the Election Petition Tribunal to invade the November 16 governorship election because the election results did not reflect the wishes of the electorate and the APC candidates were not qualified for the polls.
However, the respondents, in their replies, said the issue of qualifications has been determined at the Federal High Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. They asked the Tribunal to dismiss the petitions.
At the inaugural sitting and pretrial conference of the Tribunal witnessed by Governor Aiyedatiwa, his Deputy, Dr Olaiyide Adelami; the APC State Chairman, Engr Ade Adetimehin, and top politicians across the political divides, the Tribunal sought the cooperation of the senior lawyers during the pendency of 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.
During the pre-trial conference, all the lawyers of the parties agreed to call 149 witnesses. Out of the figure, the PDP would call 43, the INEC 19, and Aiyedatiwa would call 32, while APC and Adelami would call 20 and 35 witnesses, respectively.
In his remark, 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 a haste to address the press but should wait till the final decision of the tribunal.
According to him, the use of phones or any device in recording and capturing the tribunal’s proceedings and the faces of justices will not be allowed. The chairman asked anyone in doubt to approach the tribunal’s secretariat for clarity.
The Tribunal fixed February 10 for the counsel to the parties to file all their applications, preliminary objections, and reply on the point of law for the case to proceed without delay.
GUBER POLL: GOV AIYEDATIWA CONFIDENT OF VICTORY AS ELECTION PETITIONS TRIBUNAL BEGINS SITTING
After attending the inaugural sitting, the Governor of Ondo state, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, reiterated his confidence in the credibility of the November 16, 2024 governorship election, stating that the people of Ondo State voted overwhelmingly for the right candidate.
He described the election as historic, emphasizing that his victory across all 18 local government areas was a true reflection of the people’s will.
The Governor said: “The election was free, fair, and credible. The people of Ondo State made history by ensuring that, for the first time, a candidate won in all 18 local government areas. That alone speaks volumes about the trust and confidence they have in my leadership,”
Aiyedatiwa expressed his interest in following the tribunal proceedings, noting that it was an opportunity to observe the judiciary at work.
“And, you know, learning is continuous. Even though I’m the governor, I still also want to hear what is going on in the judiciary arm of government, particularly in this election petition. Having the legal professionals and the very competent justices on this panel, it’s an exercise for me. I just want to witness it and be part of it. There’s nothing to worry about,” he stated.
