The camps of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his challenger, Peoples Democratic Party’s Ladi Adebutu, are optimistic that they will carry the day when the tribunal delivers its judgment.
With the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) through with its assignment last Wednesday, attention has now shifted to the Governorship Election Petition Tribunals in the states where incumbent governors are eagerly waiting to know their fate.
The tribunal reserved ruling on the petition last Monday after a three-month long sitting.
Adebutu had alleged that the election was riddled with violence, irregularities and rigging.
He alleged non-compliance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and with the Electoral Act, and corrupt practices by the governor and the APC during the election.
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He claimed that the process was sabotaged by thugs who allegedly deployed violence in over 99 polling units to disenfranchise over 40,000 voters.
Abiodun contested all the claims and asked the tribunal to dismiss the case as the petitioners failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Abiodun’s lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), in his final address, described Adebutu’s petition as a mere academic exercise.
Olanipekun submitted that the soul of the petition was not duly signed or stamped and, therefore, lacked merit to be adopted.
“The document is not signed, not dated, no heading, no title, no identity, no signature, no stamp. The CTC has no signature,” Olanipekun said.
However, in his counter-argument, Counsel to Adebutu, Chris Uche, SAN, told the tribunal that all documents presented by the petitioners were obtained from INEC.
He urged the tribunal to declare Adebutu the winner of the governorship election or, in the alternative, order a rerun of the election in 99 polling units where he alleged that there were disruptions.