The Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Isabo area of Abeokuta, on Saturday, upheld the victory of Dapo Abiodun, as the duly elected Governor of Ogun State.
The petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, challenging the victory of Dapo Abiodun in the March 18, 2023 governorship election, was dismissed by the tribunal.
In a judgement that lasted over 11 hours, the three-man panel of Judges, led by Justice Hamidu Kunaza, dismissed the Petition of the PDP and it’s candidate on the ground that it lacked merit. .
“The Tribunal rules that the, petitioners have failed to prove any of the grounds of the Petition and thus are not entitled to any of the reliefs sought. The petition fails and is dismissed. The return of Governor Abiodun is affirmed”
Recall that Adebutu and the PDP had prayed the court to order INEC to conduct fresh election in 99 polling units in 41 wards across 16 Local government areas of the State, where elections were either not held and/or cancelled due to disruption and over-voting.
But, reading the judgement, Kunaza held that the petitioners failed to prove the fact of their case, saying “On the whole the petitioners have not successfully prove the allegation of non compliance with the electoral act and have not discharge the burden of prove”.
