Ekiti Election Tribunal Update: Witnesses Admit Votes Declared More Than Accredited Voters

Three witnesses of the All Progressives Congress,APC at the Ekiti State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday, admitted that total vote cast was more than total accredited voters in the various units where they acted as APC party agents.

Ajayi Taiwo Michael and Adeleye Mathew from Ekiti East Local Government as well as Mr Ogunleye Sesan from Gbonyin Local Government admitted during cross-examination by Counsel to petitioners were made to read out the names ticked on the Voters Register and the voters accredited did not tally with the votes declared.

The witness was given the voters register of their various units, which they counted aloud but did not tally with the results, bringing to the fore the manifestly perpetrated irregularities in the election.

Sunday Adumo Rufus, the Deputy Director General of Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, who was the first witness called had said he witnessed the election and that it was free, fair and credible.

Sunday, said contrary to the allegations of general malpractices by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Prof.Olusola Kolapo, the election was devoid of rancour and violence.

Led in evidence by Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, counsel to Gov. Kayode Fayemi, the witness specifically informed the tribunal that the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not biased against any parties.

“Someone will be day dreaming if they think that the election was not free, fair, credible and acceptable.

“As one of the groups who monitored the election, I did not receive any reports of violence, vote buying and any malpractice.

“All the agents of political parties that participated in the election signed the result sheet,” he said.

He said: “It is not true that INEC favoured Fayemi in the election. The allegation of vote buying is also not true and in fact, the election is one of the best conducted by INEC,” the witness further said.

However, under cross-examination by Chief Roland Otaru, SAN, counsel to the petitioners, the witness, admitted before the tribunal that his disposition on oath was based on reports obtained from other All Progressives Congress (APC) agents during the election.

At one breath, he said he went to vote while he later said he stayed glued at the situation room during the election receiving reports from units, Wards and Local Governments and therefore could not give a personal account of the events that took place on that day but based his reports on information gathered.

The PDP and Prof Kolapo had filed the petition, praying the tribunal to declare them as winners of the election on the ground that they scored the majority of the lawful votes.

They alleged that victory of Fayemi was as a result of vote-buying, widespread rigging, malpractices and that INEC officials favoured the governor during the election.

Meanwhile, Fayemi, who was in Court in the morning left unannounced and did not turn up even though proceeding was stood down for him to enter having asked for stand down for him to enter the witness box at 3 pm.

The 3rd Respondent (Fayemi), opened his case for defense while his counsel sought an adjournment till Thursday, November 29, 2018, for the continuation of hearing.

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