BEVERLY HILLS, April 16, (THEWILL) – Palpable tension has gripped Ondo State as the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, the state capital, on Friday, April 23, 2021, delivers judgement on the petition filed by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, challenging the victory of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the October 20 gubernatorial election.
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 (INEC), alleging that the poll was marred by irregularities.
The PDP candidate also asked the court to nullify the nomination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 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 team of the Governor and that of the APC, Akin Olujimi and 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.
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