Tribunal fixes April 23 for judgement on Ondo gov election

The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital, has fixed Friday, April 23, 2021, to deliver the judgement on the petition filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, challenging the victory of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the October 20 governorship poll.

The three-man panel led by Justice Umar Abubakar announced the date through a notice to all parties in the case.

After the declaration of Akeredolu as the winner of the election, Jegede approached the tribunal, seeking nullification of the election, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, alleging that the poll was marred by irregularities.

The PDP candidate also asked the court to nullify the nomination of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Akeredolu and his deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa on the ground that they were not duly nominated by their party.

On the other hand, the defence counsels of the governor and that of the APC, Mr Akin Olujimi and Chief Lateef Fagbemi, respectively, had pleaded with the court to dismiss Jegede’s petition on several grounds.

After both parties had adopted their written addresses at the tribunal on February 25, the court then reserved its judgement till April 2021.