The Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal will on Saturday September 30, 2023, deliver judgement in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, against the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun in the March 18 governorship election.
The Ogun Tribunal Secretary, Obioma Ezenta, communicated the date to the parties on Thursday.
Adebutu’s spokesperson, Afolabi Orekoya, also confirmed this that the party had been duly notified.pletion | Punch
The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Hamidu Kunaza, on September 4, 2023 reserved the judgement shortly after the two parties adopted their written addresses.
Adebutu and PDP are challenging the return of Abiodun as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the March 18 governorship election.
Adopting his address, Abiodun’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), told the tribunal to reject the PDP’s petition, saying it has no merit but a mere academic exercise, adding that the sole petitions were not duly signed and stamped and, therefore lacked merit to be adopted and should be stuck out.
Countering, Adebutu’s lawyer Chris Uche (SAN) said that all documents presented by the petitioners were obtained from INEC, and urged the tribunal to declare the petitioner winner of the governorship election. As he adopted his final written address.
Uche told the tribunal to remove 40, 871 votes from Abiodun’s and order a rerun in the 99 polling units where elections were allegedly disrupted.
“We are very happy that today we have adopted our final written addresses in support of our petition. And we have asked the court based on the overwhelming evidence which we have advised both orally and documentary.
“And we are asking the court to give judgement to the petitioners, Ladi Adebutu and PDP because we have overwhelmingly proven our case. And in this case we have brought all the documents certified by INEC and even witnesses called by INEC. So we have done our bit and the matter has been adjourned for judgement at a later date.”
