Ekiti Election Tribunal: APC Opens Defence As Witnesses Says Election Is Free, Fair

The All Progressive Congress (APC), today opens its defence as the 2nd respondent in the Ekiti State July 14th governorship election petition tribunal sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo, Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC) is listed as the first respondent in the petition, while APC and Fayemi are listed as 2nd and 3rd respondents in the petition being heard by the Tribunal headed by Justice Suleiman Belgore.

It was reported that the APC’s lawyer, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) on Wednesday indicated the party’s readiness to open its defence after counsel to INEC, Charles Edosomwan (SAN) announced the closure of his client’s case while he added that the party would make judicious use of the 10 days allocated to it for its defence.

The lead counsel to the All Progressive Congress (APC), Akin Olujimi (SAN) informed the tribunal of the readiness of his client to open its defence adding that witnesses were on the ground.

He also announced to the tribunal that Abiodun Owoniko (SAN) would be leading the witnesses in their testimony.

The APC lawyer, Owonikoko (SAN) called its first witness, Mr. Malomo Micheal Gbenga Rw2/17, who served as party agent from Odo Emure street in Emure Ekiti to the witness stand and being led in testimony by the counsel.

Malomo said the election in his area was peaceful and that all the party agents signed the result sheet including the petitioner’s agent since the election was generally accepted and there were no manipulation and the result was properly collated.

He added that lNEC gave all the political parties level playing ground.

Rw2/18 Adu Benedict Oluwagbemiga and Poppa Felix Tunde Rw2/19 party agents both from Emure Ekiti said there was no protest from PDP and other agents and that the election went on smoothly.

The APC Lawyer also called Mr. Ajayi Ayodeji Rw2/20, who was the local government collating officer for Ise/Orun local government.

The witness said there were no complaints on the election processes and that other parties collating officers work together and reiterated that the election was free, fair, credible and acceptable while Rw2/21 Mr. Dada who served as a party agent said the election was not manipulated by INEC.

The six witnesses that were called from Moba local government by the APC counsel were Ibrahim Senator, Rw2/22, Jayeola Dare Emmanuel Rw2/23, Olajide Yonks Rw2/24, and Ajiboye Tosin Rw2/25.

Others are Owolabi Oluwaseun Rw2/26 and Dada Sesan Rw2/26.

They all affirmed the correctness of individual statements on oath presented to them as theirs.

Ibrahim Adebayo Rw2/20 ward agent in Odo said he visited 4 units after he cast his vote in his unit.

He said that the election was peaceful in his ward.

It would be recalled that Olusola and PDP are challenging the outcome of governorship election held in Ekiti which the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Dr. Kayode Fayemi declared winner of the election by Independent National Electoral Commission (lNEC). in a petition marked PT/EKS/GOV/01/18.

Justice Belgore then adjourned the sitting to Friday (November 16th).

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