Governor Abiola Ajimobi
Amidst heavy security cover led by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, the state governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by the candidate of Accord Party (AP), Senator Rashidi Ladoja, against the election of the state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amidst heavy security cover led by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, the state governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday dismissed the petition filed by the candidate of Accord Party (AP), Senator Rashidi Ladoja, against the election of the state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the unanimous judgment read by the Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Mohammed Mayaki, the tribunal held that Ladoja and his party “failed woefully” to prove their allegations of rigging, electoral malpractices, violence and non-compliance with the Electoral Act among others, beyond reasonable doubt.
In the judgment that lasted for four and half hours, the tribunal said notwithstanding the weighty allegations of the petitioner, he (Ladoja) failed woefully to establish his case.”
Justice Mayaki who read out the tribunal’s unanimous verdict, had initially knocked off the evidence of Ladoja’s principal witness, Mr. Bimbo Adepoju, whose report of inspection of election materials used in the election would have provided a strong foundation for the petition.
According to Justice Mayaki, Adepoju’s self confession that he is a farmer of arable crops, makes whatever evidence he might have given before the tribunal on the election documents a mere personal opinion since he(Adepoju) is not an expert.
The tribunal chairman said: “Issues relating to card readers,
election documents, among others, need to be handled by knowledgeable experts as they are technical. Adepoju has said he is a farmer of arable crops and that he is a member of AP. So, Adepoju and his inspection team are not neutral partyies Their report cannot be relied upon by this tribunal.”
election documents, among others, need to be handled by knowledgeable experts as they are technical. Adepoju has said he is a farmer of arable crops and that he is a member of AP. So, Adepoju and his inspection team are not neutral partyies Their report cannot be relied upon by this tribunal.”
The tribunal also faulted the allegations of non-accreditation of voters, no-voting and other malpractices alleged by the other 28 witnesses who testified for Senator Ladoja and Accord party, declaring that all the allegations were not proved beyond reasonable doubts.
Justice Mayaki stressed that: “The reliefs being sought cannot be granted. The election and return of Ajimobi as the state governor is hereby upheld having scored the majority of votes cast in the April 11 election. Accordingly, the petition is hereby dismissed.”
Efforts by APC counsel, Chief Wole Aina, to seek the cost was not granted by the tribunal which ruled against any cost for all parties.
Lead counsel to Ladoja, Chief Richard Ogunwole; Chief Wole Aina and Mr. Adebayo, M.O who stood in for Governor Ajimobi’s lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, (SAN), while reacting to the ruling, commended what they referred to as the tribunal’s industry.
The city consequently erupted in wild jubilation as supporters of APC caused traffic snarl along Dugbe/Mokola road, Iyaganku, Ring road axis among others.
Ajimobi’s aide, Mr. Deji Aboderin, told THISDAY that the tribunal made the right decision at the end of the day, “so we are saying let the government continue. At the moment, everywhere is peaceful and people are in jubilation mood over the outcome of the tribunal’s judgment.”
Ajimobi’s aide, Mr. Deji Aboderin, told THISDAY that the tribunal made the right decision at the end of the day, “so we are saying let the government continue. At the moment, everywhere is peaceful and people are in jubilation mood over the outcome of the tribunal’s judgment.”
Meanwhile, Ajimobi has hailed his victory at the governorship election petitions tribunal, attributing it to God and the people of the state who made it possible for him to break the second term jinx.
He also waived the olive branch to Ladoja and former state Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, among others to join him in the task of lifting the fortune of the state.
The governor who pledged not to betray the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state, said he remained the “coordinating servant” of those seeking the progress and prosperity of the state.
credit; Thisday news
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