Ola Akinwunmi
The Election Petition Tribunal adjudicating the outcome of the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State has fixed June 4 for judgment on the petitions filed by opposition parties. The tribunal, led by Justice Benson Ogubu, will determine the fate of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his challengers, including Hon Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP, Social Democratic Party (SDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have filed petitions against the election, alleging substantial non-compliance with the electoral act, massive irregularities, and electoral malpractice. The petitioners are seeking to nullify the election results and invalidate the certificate of return given to Aiyedatiwa by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During the tribunal’s sitting, the petitioners adopted their written addresses, while the respondents, including Aiyedatiwa, INEC, and other parties, asked the tribunal to dismiss the petitions with substantial cost. The respondents argued that there was no substantial evidence to prove irregularities or electoral malpractice during the election.
The Ondo governorship election tribunal’s judgment on June 4 will be a crucial moment for the state’s politics. The outcome will determine whether Governor Aiyedatiwa’s election is upheld or nullified, and will have significant implications for the state’s governance and development.