Tribunal strikes out Jegede’s petition, confirms Akeredolu’s victory.Ondo State Governorship election Tribunal yesterday, April 20th declared Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as the validly elected winner of the October 20th, 2020 held Governorship election in the State.
The three man panel that heard the petition of People’s Democratic party and its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) in a virtual court sitting, in Akure, the Ondo State capital agreed in their ruling that the petition merited being heard.
Justice Abdulkadir Abdullah in his lead judgement however resolved that the election as held was won by Gov. Akeredolu of All Progressives Congress ( APC).
On the relief sought by Jegede that the Tribunal should aver that the process of the emergence of Gov. Akeredolu was marred by irregularity owing to the dual office held by the persona who coordinated and presented Gov. Akeredolu as the party’s Candidate, the Tribunal ruled that the relief sought is purely a constitutional matter which can only be resolved by the Supreme Court, reiterating that the Tribunal as a court of first instance only hears petition arising from the conduct of the election. The Tribunal noted that the election was not marred by irregularities and thereby threw out the petition of the opposition party.
In a swift reaction, the Publicity Secretary of PDP in Ondo State, Hon. Kennedy Peretei Ikantu said the party will appeal the Judgement. He said the Tribunal has only established the fact that their petition was viable, encouraging party faithfuls not to lose hope.
