By Ola Ajayi

The political tension generated by the petition filed by a former Governor Rashidi Ladoja against the election of the incumbent Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi was diffused on Tuesday when the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed the petition and confirmed the election of the governor.

Ajimobi

While the petition lasted in the tribunal led by Justice Mohammed Maiyaki, there were accusations and counter-accusations between the supporters of the two political giants in the state . Ladoja trailed behind Ajimobi who had over 300,000 votes  in the election.

Though, political rivalry between the duo had been on before the election, it became so intense that residents in the state were praying for a peaceful outcome. At the slightest opportunity, supporters of the two politicians engaged themselves in a free for all  that sometimes left people injured.

About a fortnight ago when an Appeal  Court struck out the appeal filed by Ladoja on the use of forensic reports to prosecute his case, the supporters clashed but there was no casualty.

The Accord Party, through Prince Dotun Oyelade, said, “APC has the tradition of distorting and twisting the court proceedings to mislead the general public. The APC stalwarts engaged in this misinformation with the connivance of some sections of the media”.

“The ruling of the appellate court does not in anyway affect the substantive suit before the election tribunal as regards the election petition filed by the ACCORD and its flag bearer in 2015 governorship election in Oyo state, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja. The tribunal has not set aside any date for its ruling. The published story negates what was reported.

“As a disciplined party that believes in the rule of law, we have maintained our calmness within the ambits of the constitution/laws of the land. We are constrained to watch the flagrant abuse of privilege and recklessness with which the leadership of the All Progressive Congress has taken laws into their hands making comments on cases that are yet to be adjudicate on while the authority concern look the other way. The law-enforcement agents also did not help matters while acting on spurious allegations against our party members”.

“We therefore want to warn the APC and its agents not to task our patience any more and we call on the law enforcement and security agents in the state to call the party-APC to order before they set the state on fire. We are law abiding citizens and politicians willing to ensure that peace reigns in the state, but would not fold arms watching our supporters and members being subjected to public ridicule by miscreants masquerading as politicians”.

Ladoja

Ladoja had approached the tribunal, asking it to determine  whether the 1st respondent(Ajimobi) should be declared validly elected and returned having polled the highest number of lawful votes cast at the election; that the said election and the return of the 1st respondent, Senator Abiola Ajimobi are voided by acts which clearly violate and breach various provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended including but not limited to rigging and manipulation of election results, unprecedented acts of violence, thuggery, deliberate refusal to use smart card readers and allocation of votes where election did not hold;

that the results of the election for the entire 10 local government areas of Atiba, Atisbo, Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola, Oriire, Surulere, Ogbomoso North and Ogbomoso South as well as in disputed units in wards 2,5,6,7,8,9, 10 of Ibarapa North; disputed units in wards 1-10, Ogo Oluwa, Oorelope, Saki West,, Saki East, Ibadan North West, Ibadan South West, Lagelu, Akinyele, Oyo West, and Ibadan North be nullified.

Other prayers are that the purported election and return of Senator Ajimobi as Governor of Oyo State is invalid and in his stead declare Senator Rashidi Ladoja as the governor of the state having scored the majority of lawful votes cast; alternatively, that a fresh election be ordered throughout Oyo State in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 and that going by the lawful votes cast at the said election and satisfaction of all constitutional requirements as to the geographical spread of votes cast;

the petitioner ought to have been returned as the elected Governor of Oyo State. Before the tribunal finally dropped the bombshell, it said all the evidence given by the witnesses called by Accord were not convincing and too unreliable.  Justice Maiyaki said statements of the witnesses numbering 29 were inc onsistent and unreliable.

While Ladoja and Accord Party were represented by their counsel, Chief Richard Ogunwole (SAN) Ajimobi, All Progressives Congress through their counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun(SAN) and Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN) respectively produced six witnesses.

The tribunal particularly spent time on the statements of the principal witness of Accord Party, Mr. Bimbo Adepoju who told the tribunal that he is an arable crop farmer and a card carrying member of Accord.

Adepoju was the leader of an inspection team which assessed and analysed INEC materials.

The tribunal held that, “it is clear that the PW 1, Bimbo Adepoju is not an expert and he did not claim to be one. It is clear that the inspection of election materials need to be handled by knowledgeable experts because it is technical.”

“Their evidence cannot be accepted. Consequently, his evidence cannot be relied upon. His evidence is not admissible. He is an interested person because he said he is a member of Accord and that he would want the petitioner to win.”

“It is not for the tribunal to go on a voyage of carrying out analysis of the votes cast if the petitioner failed to do so. All the documents tendered by the petitioner must demonstrate their worth. They failed to relate to the evidence. We hereby hold that the documents have no evidential value”

“The petitioners have failed woefully to prove their allegations beyond reasonable doubt on the the non-holding of elections, multiple voting and the rest of it based on balance of probability. On the whole, it is the decision of this tribunal that the election of Senator Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi on the April 11, 2015 and his victory were in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended. Accordingly, the petition is hereby dismissed,” the tribunal said.

There were indications that Ladoja would appeal the judgment even though he was yet to confirm this.

Drama

At the entrance, the security agents screened everybody thoroughly including journalists and lawyers. Due to the large number of lawyers, journalists and politicians, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade decided that only eight politicians, 23 Journalists and few lawyers were granted entry.

Besides, security agents including the police, DSS and civil defence corps. As early as 6:30am, all roads leading to the Iyaganku court  where the judgment took place had been blocked by police vans and other vehicles.

Even the court registrar and some staff had a hectic time convincing the security men to grant them access. In the petitions  filed so far, APC is well favoured as it has won no fewer than 15 out of 18 petitions decided so far.

APC won six in House of Representatives petitions in areas like:Ido/ Ibarapa east, oluyole, Ibadan north, ibadan north east/ south east, Ibadan North west/south west, saki east/ saki west/ Atisbo and Oyo East/ West/ Atiba/ Afijio federal constituencies.

Wasiu Olatunbosun further stated, “Also, APC won the two senatorial petitions – Oyo central and Oyo south -which confirmed its two senators from the districts; Sen. Monsurat Sumonu and Sen. Rilwan Olusoji Akanbi respectively .”

“Also APC won 2 out of 3 houses of Assembly petitions and these are in, Ibadan North West and ibadan South west2 state constituencies while the only petition won by Acord party was ibadan south east 2 state constituency which its candidate won during the election. “ Olatubosun reiterated.