As the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Ogun State prepares to deliver its judgment, both the camp of the incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his challenger, Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), remain optimistic about the outcome.
Following the conclusion of the Presidential Election Petition Court’s proceedings last Wednesday, the spotlight has now turned to the state-level Governorship Election Petition Tribunals, where sitting governors eagerly await the tribunal’s verdict.
The tribunal had reserved its ruling on the petition after an extensive three-month-long sitting. Adebutu had leveled allegations of violence, irregularities, and rigging during the election. He alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and accused the governor and the APC of corrupt practices during the election. He also claimed that over 99 polling units experienced disruptions due to the actions of thugs, which led to the disenfranchisement of over 40,000 voters.
In response, Governor Abiodun and the APC contested all the allegations and called on the tribunal to dismiss the case, citing the petitioners’ failure to substantiate their claims beyond a reasonable doubt.
Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), lead counsel for Abiodun, characterized Adebutu’s petition as a mere academic exercise. He pointed out that the crucial document lacked essential elements such as a signature, date, heading, title, identity, and stamp, asserting that it lacked merit.
However, Chris Uche (SAN), counsel for Adebutu, countered this argument by stating that all the documents presented by the petitioners were sourced from INEC. He urged the tribunal to either declare Adebutu the winner of the governorship election or, as an alternative, order a rerun of the election in the 99 polling units where disruptions were alleged to have occurred.
With both parties maintaining their optimism, the forthcoming judgment from the tribunal will determine the outcome of the closely watched Ogun State gubernatorial election petition.