Governor Biodun Oyebanji who contested the June 18, 2022, gubernatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr. Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will know their fates today (Wednesday) as the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal delivers its judgement.
In Ekiti State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are both hoping for a favourable ruling in the dispute over the June 18 governorship election, which will be decided by the governorship election petitions tribunal on Wednesday (today).
Recall that dissatisfied with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declaration of the APC candidate, now Governor Oyebanji, as winner of the election, the SDP and its candidate, Chief Oni, had petitioned the Tribunal, urging it to declare the SDP winner because it allegedly received the most valid votes.
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The three-member Tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had reserved judgment on November 23 after hearing from both parties.
After the parties presented and adopted written addresses, judgment was reserved.
The Tribunal later informed the parties that the decision would be delivered, on Wednesday (today).
“Our expectation is very high based on the grounds of the demand we presented at the court ranging from the certificate issue against the deputy governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, and faulty nomination process of Oyebanji and his deputy.
“We have had the two judgments to the level of Supreme Court on the grounds of our demands and our case will not be the exemption as precedence has been established.
“So, these give us hope that we are going to get a favourable judgment. We believe in the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man. We expect the tribunal to deliver the judgment in accordance with the dictates of the law,” said Ganiu Salau, on Tuesday.
But the Special Adviser to Governor Oyebanji on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said that there was nothing to worry about in the petition, claiming that the APC and the governor had proven their case beyond all reasonable doubts at the Tribunal.
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In the words of Mr. Oyebode, “We are optimistic of victory. The reason is that the election that brought Oyebanji as the governor was overwhelming. The people voted massively for him.
“So, the mandate is genuine and was freely given through a free, fair, credible and rancour-free democratic process.
“With all our trust in God, I believe we will triumph at the tribunal because we are children of success, not failure.”
