The Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal will deliver its judgment on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, on Saturday, September 30, 2023. The petition challenges the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun in the March 18 governorship election.
The tribunal informed the parties of the date on Thursday, as confirmed by Ogun Tribunal Secretary, Obioma Ezenta, in a conversation with newsmen.
Afolabi Orekoya, the Media Aide to the PDP governorship candidate, also affirmed that the party had received official notification.
The tribunal’s Chairman, Justice Hamidu Kunaza, had postponed the judgment after both parties presented their written arguments on September 4, 2023.
Adebutu and the PDP are contesting Abiodun’s declaration as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the March 18 governorship election.
During his argument, Abiodun’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the PDP petition, deeming it lacking in merit and a mere academic exercise.
The respondent argued that the petitioner’s petitions should be dismissed because they were not properly signed and stamped.
The petitioner’s counsel countered by arguing that all of the documents presented by the petitioner were obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In his final written address, the petitioner’s counsel urged the tribunal to declare the petitioner the winner of the governorship election.
Uche also implored the tribunal to subtract a total of 40,871 votes from Abiodun’s recorded tally and call for a re-run in the 99 polling units where elections were reportedly disrupted.
“We are very happy that today we have adopted our final written addresses in support of our petition. 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.”