Politicians in Osun are keenly observant and expectant as the gubernatorial election tribunal in the state began its official duties on Thursday.
This means the battle for the winner of September 22 gubernatorial poll in the state and supplementary election in four local governments in the state has shifted to the courtroom.
Hearing into the petition filed by the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke and his party against the Governor-Elect, Mr Gboyega Isiaka Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is now on.
Though, the 3-member panel, headed by Justice T. A. Ogoche, sitting within the premises of the Osun State High Court, Osogbo began proceeding around 10.30 am, only two judges were in the court to entertain exparte application filed by the lead counsel to the Adeleke and the PDP, Mr Nathaniel O. Oke. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Joined as defendants in the application no EPT/OS/GOV)/ 1m/2018were the standard bearer of the ruling Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola (1st), All Progressives Congress (APC) (2nd) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the 3rd defendant.
However, the chairman of the election petition tribunal, Justice T. A. Ogoche granted the five orders sought by lead counsel to the two applicants, which include “an order of the honourable tribunal granting the leave to the applicants to file and move the application before the pre-hearing session.”
“An order of this honourable tribunal granting leave to the applicants to inspect and obtain Certified True Copies (CTCs) of all electoral documents and materials which is in the custody of the chief National Commissioner of INEC or any other officer of the commission in respect of Osun State governorship election held on the 22nd day of September, 2018 and the rerun election held on the 27th day of September, 2018 respectively.”
“An order of this honourable tribunal granting leave/permitting the applicants’ agents and/or counsel for the purpose of instituting and maintaining the petition to obtain Certified True Copies and conduct manual/physical inspection and verification of all electoral materials/machines in respect of Osun State governorship election held on the 22nd day of September 2018 respectively, particulate Forms EC8A, EC8A (VP), EC8B, EC8C, EC60E published and used as per polling units and voting points.”
Other documents captured by the order include “Form EC17, EC40G, EC40G (1) EC40G (2), electoral material receipt (EC 25B), INEC election manual guidelines 2018, collation officers reports, S.P.O’s and P.O’s reports in respect of the Osun State governorship election. INEC voters register used for election on the 22nd day of September and the rerun of the 27th day of September 2018.”
“Card readers verification records as generated by the card reader machines showing the status of all accredited voters, Voters Identification Number (VIN) and status with the time and dates of transmission used for election on the 22nd day of September and 27th day of September 2018.”
“An order of the tribunal restraining the 3rd respondents from altering and/or mutilating in any manner whatsoever and howsoever the extracted information from the card readers, electoral materials (Forms EC8A (VP), EC8B, EC8D, EC60E (Published and Used per polling units and voting points), EC40G, EC40G (1), EC40G (2), EC17 (Oath of Neutrality)”, among others.
The grounds of the application among others “that the 1st applicant (Adeleke) was one of the candidates that contested for the governorship election held on the 22nd day of September and 27th day of September 2018 respectively under the platform of the 2nd applicant ((PDP).”
“That the total votes won by the 1st applicant on the 22nd day of September 2018 was 245, 698 while the 1st respondent (Oyetola) scored 245, 345. That the 1st applicant was the winner of the election and ought to have been declared so by the 3rd respondent (INEC). That the rerun election was marred with electoral violence, vote buying, stuffing of ballot papers, multiple thumb printing and voting and allocation of votes by the 3rd respondent.”
Granting the order, the chairman of the election petition tribunal, Justice T.A. Ogoche said “having heard the SAN, we are of the view that the application has merit, considering paragraph 47, 41 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). We hereby grant all the orders in the application as prayed.”
Meanwhile, all the three respondents were not represented in the court.
Credit: tribuneonlineng.com
