A former governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, was physically assaulted as the Election Petition Tribunal began its sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Political thugs used sticks on Showunmi on Monday at the premise as the Tribunal began its inaugural sitting amid tension and watertight security.
Apart from Showunmi, some political party supporters were also beaten in the ensuing violence.
The tribunal began hearing the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, against Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Magistrates’ Court, Isabo, which houses the tribunal was cordoned off by security operatives.
The thugs in a large number who were there to support their political parties as the Tribunal began sitting, came with canes.
Soon, minor skirmishes broke out between supporters of the PDP and the APC, but the fully armed security operatives, comprising the police, DSS and Civil Defense dispersed the thugs to bring normalcy to the environment.
The security operatives also prevented political supporters from entering the court premises.
Political thugs roamed about with canes in their hands while some security agents watched without arresting or stopping them from causing chaos.
Showunmi who arrived at the Court’s gate when the fierce-looking thugs were aroud, reportedly introduced himself to the security agents manning the gate when the thugs descended on him with sticks.
He, however, escaped by the whiskers.
Inside the court, Adebutu’s lead counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, told the Tribunal that a large number of the petitioner’s supporters were shut out from observing the session.
Uche said a live transmission of the hearing had been barred there should be enough provisions for the litigants to observe the session.
