Ondo Election Tribunal Strikes Out Two Petitions, As Thugs Invade Court Proceedings

The Ondo State Governorship election petition tribunal has heled its inaugural sitting to hear petitions against the victory of the incumbent Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu in the October the 10th Governorship elections in the state.

The tribunal dismissed two out of the three petitions filed by three political parties and their candidates to contest the result of the Election.

The political parties affected by the tribunal’s decision are All People’s Party (APP) and Action Alliance (AA).

Their petitions were dismissed for non filling of the pre-trial forms.

The tribunal subsequently awarded N100,00 cost against the petitioners in favor of each set of respondents .

With this, the only petition that is being entertained by the tribunal is the one filed by the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN against the victory of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

However the Major leading political parties in the state, the APC and the PDP have commenced war of words over the invasion of the tribunal during the inaugural sitting of the tribunal in Akure the ondo state capital.

It was widely rumoured that the APC led political thugs to unleash mayhem at the tribunal by the PDP but the APC in a swift reaction debunked the rumour.

At the tribunal sitting, several people were brutalised, while lawyers and litigants scampered for safety.

Here is the excerpt of the statement credited to the PDP:

Akeredolu Mobilizes Thugs To Tribunal Sitting In Akure
The Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has allegedly mobilised large number of thugs to the venue of Ondo Gubernatorial Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
This is contained in a statement issued by the media team of the PDP in the PDP state.

At the hearing this morning, Tuesday, 8th December, 2020, APC thugs under the leadership of one “Chemical” bombarded the venue, harassing, molesting, beating up, shooting sporadically into the air and attacking anyone perceived to be supporter of the PDP and its Candidate, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, SAN. Mr. Sunday Oladunmoye is still receiving treatments from machete cut wounds he sustained from this group of thugs.

They were parading the vicinity of the Court in a tinted Toyota Corolla car. Others were members of the Taxi Unit of National Union of Road Transport Workers( NURTW) with instructions from their master Jacob Adebo (Idajo) to cause pandemonium during the sitting.

As early as 8.30a.m this morning, the Petitioners, Eyitayo Jegede and the PDP represented by its State Chairman, Alhaji Fatai Adams, led other PDP leaders to the Court.

But shortly thereafter, the APC thugs caused so much panic and confusion within the arena. It took the combined efforts of the Army and Policemen to restore order.

The PDP wishes to call on security agencies to live up to this fresh threat to law and order in the State. Resorting to violence will not deter the PDP and its candidate from pursuing this Petition to its conclusive end. Neither can this act of barbarism scare the Judges from the course of Justice.

Present at today’s inaugural hearing were; Engr Clement Faboyede, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, Tokunbo Modupe, Adomola Babalola, Hon.Suffy Uguoji, Engr. Adebowale, Hon. Akinsoyinu and Tokunbo Jegede. State Executive Committee Members, Tola Alabere, Oluseye Olujimi amongst others.

The ruling APC denied the allegation and accused the PDP of insincerity.

The Ondo APC spokesman, Alex Kalejaye said know nothing about the incident.

The APC in Ondo State parades unequalled disposition to peaceful conducts and approaches to issues, and therefore would not promote nor condone thuggery for whatever gains.
Like other stakeholders in the election petition tribunal, APC stalwarts, in their most decent and dignified manners came to the court, to listen to the proceedings.
They learnt, with dismay avoidable rowdiness among people that were struggling to enter the court premises. To the best of our knowledge, the desperation gave room for clash.
We are of the strong opinion that political parties and other stakeholders should caution their sympathisers against unruly display throughout the legal process, rather than holding APC responsible for such indecent and aggressive attitude.
We wish to affirm our confidence in the tribunal to dispense justice, and would therefore have no reason to encourage violent disposition, under whatever guise. Our candidate is unperturbed about the process.
At the end of the legal exercise, the tribunal decision would be informed by facts, and convictions, and not on account of thuggery and violent displays.