- LEKE ADEGBITE
The Ondo state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on the October 10, 2020 election has resumed its sitting in Akure, as the candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Eyitayo Jegede gave evidence on oath.
Jegede told the tribunal that the candidate of All Progressives Congress(APC), Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was not validly nominated by his party.
His prayer was that the Governor of Yobe State, who is the national Caretaker chairman of APC, Mai Balla Buni, could not also function and conduct the party’s governorship primary that produced Mr Akeredolu.
Giving evidence at the election petition tribunal presided over by Justice Umar Abubakar, the PDP governorship candidate said the nomination of Akeredolu ran contrary to APC constitution and the 1999 constitution as amended, adding that his nomination should be setside.
Mr Jegede through the assistance of his lead counsel, Mr Onyekachi Ikpeazu, prayed the tribunal to declare him the winner evidence the election.
However counsels to defendants, Mr Lateef Fagbenmi and Chief Akin Olujimi, told the tribunal during cross examination of the petitioner, that Jegede who is not a member of APC should not interfere in the internal affairs of the party.
Charles Edosanmiwan, lawyer to INEC, informed the tribunal that majority of the prayers of the PDP candidate were about the APC primary and emergence of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the candidate of the party when he is not a member of the ruling party.
The tribunal, however, adjourned the case till tomorrow Wednesday.