Ogun Election Tribunal fixed July 4 to hear Adebutu’s petition against Governor Abiodun

The Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal has fixed July 4, 2023 for the commencement of the hearing of the petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ladi Adebutu challenging the outcome of the March 25 election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressive Congress, APC as the winner of the election.

At the pre-hearing section on Thursday, the tribunal said July 4 would be used for the hearing proper, and the calling of witnesses would start on July 5, 2023.

The tribunal also said all documents and papers that were not objected to by either the petitioners or the respondents would be tendered.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Hamidu Kunaza, said, “Documents that are unopposed will be tendered and admitted from the bar on July 4, while the trial and calling of witnesses commence on July 5.”

Earlier, the tribunal dismissed an application by Adebutu alleging that Governor Abiodun engaged in vote buying during the election.

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Governor Abiodun had, in his responses to Adebutu’s petition, accused him of vote buying during the election.

Adebutu, however, asked the tribunal to strike out the paragraphs containing the claims that he bought votes during the election

But the tribunal in its ruling on Thursday, rejected the application, saying Governor Abiodun, being a respondent, has enough space to respond the way he deems fit.