admin The stage is set for a high-stakes legal battle at the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, as the major political parties involved – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – have collectively lined up an impressive 149 witnesses to make their case.
The tribunal, led by Justice Benson Ogbu, is tasked with adjudicating on the outcome of the November 16, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, which saw the incumbent APC candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, emerge victorious. However, the PDP, through its candidate Agboola Ajayi, has filed a petition challenging the election result, alleging various irregularities and discrepancies.
Adding to the high stakes are the petitions filed by other political parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), all of whom are seeking to overturn Aiyedatiwa’s victory.
The sheer number of witnesses set to take the stand – 43 for the PDP, 19 for INEC, 32 for Governor Aiyedatiwa, 20 for the APC, and 35 for Adelami – underscores the determination of each side to make their case and sway the tribunal’s decision.
The legal battle lines have been drawn, with the PDP’s counsel, Ishaka Dikko, and Bankole Joy Akomolafe, SAN, facing off against the formidable legal team representing the respondents, including Charles Edosan, Bode Olanipekun, H.O. Afolabi, and Tayo Oyetibo, SAN.
At the inaugural sitting of the tribunal, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Dr. Olaiyide Adelami, and a host of other prominent politicians across the political divide, gathered to witness the proceedings.
Justice Ogbu, in his opening remarks, sought the cooperation of the senior lawyers, emphasizing the need for fair hearing and appropriate justice. He cautioned the counsel against preempting the tribunal’s decisions and urged them to refrain from addressing the press until the final verdict is delivered.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, for his part, expressed confidence in the electoral process and the judiciary, stating that the November 16 election was “one of the most peaceful, credible, and transparent elections in Nigeria in recent times.”
“There is nothing to worry about,” Aiyedatiwa said. “Sitting at the election tribunal is a way to listen to what the opposition is trying to say. Even as a governor, I still want to learn about what is going on in the judiciary arm of government, especially having the crème de la crème in the legal profession sitting also in the panel as well-learnt justices. It is an exercise to me, and I want to be part of it. There is nothing to worry about.”
The PDP’s Agboola Ajayi, on the other hand, remains steadfast in his belief that the election was marred by irregularities and has vowed to present a strong case before the tribunal.
“We are confident that the tribunal will do justice and uphold the will of the people,” Ajayi said. “The people of Ondo State overwhelmingly voted for the PDP, and we will not rest until their voices are heard and their choice is respected.”
The SDP and ADC, too, have expressed their determination to challenge the election outcome and ensure that the true winner emerges.
As the tribunal proceedings unfold, the legal battle is expected to be intense, with each side employing their best legal strategies and tactics to sway the tribunal’s decision.
The PDP, for instance, is likely to focus on issues such as voter suppression, ballot box snatching, and other forms of electoral malpractice that they claim denied their candidate a fair chance at victory.
The APC, on the other hand, will undoubtedly argue that the election was free, fair, and transparent, and that Aiyedatiwa’s victory was a true reflection of the will of the people.
INEC, as the electoral umpire, will be tasked with defending the integrity of the electoral process and providing evidence to support the credibility of the November 16 poll.
The stakes are high, not only for the political parties involved but also for the people of Ondo State, who are eager to see a resolution to the electoral dispute that has left the state in a state of political uncertainty.
The outcome of the tribunal’s decision could have far-reaching implications, not only for the future of Ondo State but also for the broader political landscape in Nigeria.
As the legal battle unfolds, the eyes of the nation will be firmly fixed on the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, as it navigates the complex and often contentious terrain of electoral disputes.
The tribunal’s ability to deliver a fair and impartial verdict will be crucial in restoring public confidence in the electoral process and upholding the democratic principles that underpin the country’s political system.
