The Election Petition Tribunal for the Ogun State governorship election began its sitting on Monday in Abeokuta amid tension, tight security and violence.
The Tribunal is hearing the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, against the re-election of Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18 poll.
The road leading to the venue, Magistrates’ Court, Isabo, was cordoned off by a combined team of security operatives, who also prevented political supporters from entering the court premises.
However, this did not stop some thugs wielding sticks from causing chaos and attacking some party loyalists outside the court.
Among those who were assaulted by the thugs was Segun Showunmi, a former governorship aspirant of the PDP and a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign.
Showunmi was reportedly introducing himself to the security agents at the gate when he was descended upon by the thugs. He narrowly escaped with bruises.
Other party supporters were also beaten in the ensuing violence. It took the intervention of fully armed security operatives, comprising the police, DSS and Civil Defense to disperse the thugs and restore peace.
Inside the court, Adebutu’s lead counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, complained that many of his supporters were shut out from observing the session.
He also said that a live transmission of the hearing had been barred and there should be enough provisions for the litigants to observe the session.
