The Ogun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the State capital on Saturday dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, challenging the declaration of Governor Dapo Abiodun of All Progressive Congress by the Independent National Electoral Commission as winner of the March 18, 2023 governorsbiphip poll
The tribunal deliverying its more than 11hours judgement admidst tight security in and around the courtroom to prevent possible breakdown of law and order ,affirmed the election of Governor Abiodun, saying PDP failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the allegation of corrupt practices and non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.
The petitioner had also argued that the governor did not score majority of the votes cast at the poll for INEC to have declared him as the winner,arguing that Abiodun was not qualified
But the three member tribunal reading the judgement which startred at around 9:10am , upheld that Abiodun was qualified to stand as the candidate of his party and his subsequent announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the election.
Counsels to the petitioner and the respondents were present in the courtroom which was filled to capacity.
Also in attendance were representatives of the two contending political parties, including the Deputy Governor of the state, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and the PDP deputy governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, and members of the National Assembly.
At the end of their submission, the court struck out the allegation of corrupt practices and non-compliance for being disjointed, defective and incompetent. It also struck out vote-buying allegations against the APC and its candidate.
Governor Abiodun scored a total of 276,298 votes against Adebutu of PDP who scored 262,383 votes, in the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election in the state
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