The Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal has officially scheduled the announcement of its judgment for Saturday, September 30, 2023. This eagerly awaited verdict stems from a petition lodged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial nominee, Ladi Adebutu. Their petition challenges the outcome of the March 18 governorship election, in which they contested the victory claimed by Governor Abiodun.
News of the judgment date was relayed to all relevant parties on Thursday, with the Ogun Tribunal Secretary, Obioma Ezenta, confirming the development. Afolabi Orekoya, the Media Aide to the PDP governorship candidate, also confirmed that the party had received official notification regarding the judgment date.
This decision marks a crucial step in the ongoing legal battle over the gubernatorial election results in Ogun State. The outcome of this judgment will undoubtedly have significant implications for the state’s political landscape and the aspirations of the involved parties. As anticipation builds, both supporters and critics of the PDP’s petition are eagerly awaiting the tribunal’s ruling to determine the future course of political action in Ogun State.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Hamidu Kunaza, had reserved the judgment shortly after the two parties adopted their written addresses on September 4, 2023.
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), asked the court to dismiss the PDP petition for lacking in merit and a mere academic exercise.
He noted that the sole petitions of the petitioners were not duly signed and stamped and, therefore lacked merit to be adopted and should be stuck out.
In his counter-argument, Counsel to Adebutu, Chris Uche (SAN) argued that all documents presented by the petitioners were obtained from INEC.
Adopting his final written address, Uche urged the tribunal to declare the petitioner winner of the governorship election.
Uche equally urged the tribunal to remove a total number of 40, 871 votes from Abiodun’s polled votes 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 judgment to the petitioners, Ladi Adebutu and PDP because we have overwhelmingly proven our case. And 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 judgment at a later date.”
