The Ekiti Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has given its verdict in the governorship election held in the state in 2018.
The Verdict in Summary:
“Petitioners allegation of non-compliance struck out
Petitioners reply amounted to raising a new issue, which is a flagrant violation of par 16 1 of the first schedule, consequently, they are all struck out.
Barr Obafemi Adewale PDPs lawyer and Central senatorial candidate just walked out in sadness.
Allegations of irregularities in Moba was based on hearsay as no witness could substantiate, it is therefore deemed abandoned.
Petitioners must call non-voters in every unit to prove their allegation, meanwhile, the few witnesses called by the petitioners claimed under cross-examination that they voted. Therefore we accept exhibit before us as evidence that elections actually took place.
Pleading without evidence and evidence without pleading are deemed abandoned as its the case in some units where irregularities are alleged.
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We hereby refuse to a annul the election of Moba LG as pleaded by the petitioners.
Ise Orun.
Here the allegations actually strengthened the case of the respondents, where the petitioner’s witness called PW 71, also confirmed elections took place.
As to the allegation of mutilation, and over voting, the evidence tendered by the petitioner’s disproof their claim, we hereby uphold the election in this LG
Therefore, the Election Tribunal unanimously struck out the case of Olusola Eleka of the pDP and uphold Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the APC as a duly elected governor of Ekiti State.”
www.sojworld.com (c) January 29, 2019
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