Politics

Ondo Governorship Election Tribunal Adjourns Till February 25th

By Web News 1022

The Ondo State Governorship Election petition tribunal sitting in Akure has adjourned till February 25, 2021 for the commencement of final written process.

The presiding judge, Justice Abubakar Umar granted the request of parties concerned in the petitions in order to source for relevant records and reply of points of law that would aid the proceedings.

Justice Umar after considering the request of the respondents and petitioners deemed it necessary in view of the circumstances surrounding it.

In the course of the day’s sitting, Counsel to the petitioner, Mr Onyeachi Ikpeazu had cross examined witness of the 3rd and 4th respondents, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his elected deputy, Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa on the role played by the caretaker chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mai Mama Buni.

Also during the proceeding, one of the counsels to the 2nd respondents, the APC, Chief Olusola Oke cross examined the witness to the 3rd and 4th respondents.

Olumide Abudu

Politics

Ondo Election Tribunal: PDP Closes Its Case, INEC Asks For More Time To Study Petition

By Web News 583

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate in the Ondo 2020 October 10 Governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede have closed their case before the State Election Petitions Tribunals sitting in Akure.

Counsel to the petitioners, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu said they had opted to narrow their case to the evidences presented before the court.

Jegede and the PDP had listed over 400 witnesses and many exhibits with additional nine days to defend their case.

Mr Ikpeazu said his clients are no longer interested in calling further witnesses aside from Jegede who was in the witness box on Tuesday, leaving out 399 witnesses uncalled.

Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr Charles Edosomwan prayed the court for time to further study the petitions and be able to open their defence.

Counsel to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lateef Fagbemi, that of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the Deputy Governor-elect Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Akin Olujimi did not oppose the prayer of INEC.

Further hearing has been adjourned till next Tuesday to enable the first respondent, INEC to open their defence.

Leke Adegbite

Politics

Probe Threat of Violence Ahead of Guber Polls – Ondo PDP Chairman

By Web News 1030

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has described the last Saturday’s local government election in Ondo state as a mere waste of resources and called on security agencies to investigate various threats of violence ahead of October 10 governorship election in the state.

Speaking with newsmen in Akure, the new State Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Fatai Adams said it was worrisome security agents were yet to arrest any of those threatening to use political thugs to rig the governorship election as well as those destroying campaign billboard and posters of the party’s candidate, Mr Eyitayo Jegede.

Alhaji Adams said PDP boycotted the local government election because it viewed as a charade and it would not reflect wishes of the people.

He enjoined all stakeholders in the forthcoming governorship election including Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and APC to join his party to ensure free and fair polls.

The PDP Chairman condemned unguarded commented credited to a former APC Chairman, Isaacs Kekemeke in a viral video, adding that the opposition party had written a petition to all security agencies to probe the video.

However, Mr Kekemeke had issued an open letter to apologise over his comment in the viral video, describing such as a pep talk.

Leke Adegbite

Politics

Opposing Views, Accusations Trail Ondo PDP Congress

By Web News 742

Different reactions and accusations have been trailing the state congress of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, currently going on in Akure.

A chairmanship aspirant, Mr Dennis Alonge expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the event.

Mr Alonge who is a former National Youth Leader of the PDP frowned at the set up and choice of location for the congress which he claimed did not comply with COVID-19 guidelines.

The aggrieved aspirant further said the congress did not follow the party’s constitution expressing fears that the result of today’s election might affect the outcome of the October 10 governorship election in the state.

Meanwhile, another aspirant, Mr Fatai Adams however said the conduct of the congress was free and fair.

Also reacting, the outgoing Chairman, Mr Clement Faboyede noted the election committee had done its best in terms of location, security and other arrangements for the congress.

Mr Faboyede informed that an appeal committee had been set up to accommodate all complaints from aggrieved aspirant.

Party chieftains who participated in the congress included PDP candidate in the October 10th governorship election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, Mr Godday Erewa among others.

Isaac Afolabi/Olumide Abudu