By Akinwale Kasali
There is tension in Lagos State as the hope of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu retaining his position and mandate as the Governor of the State hangs in the balance.
A witness, Dayo Israel, at the ongoing Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday, alleged that Governor Sanwo-Olu, and his wife, Ibijoke, were allowed to cast their votes despite having invalid voters cards in the March 18 Governorship election.
The witness who served as an agent for the Labour Party for Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government, provided this testimony as part of the petition filed by the Labour Party’s candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, seeking to nullify Governor Sanwo-Olu’s return.
Israel told the Court that he observed the card reader indicating that Sanwo-Olu and his wife had invalid cards, yet they were permitted to vote, which he considered a violation of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, electoral process.
The witness, also, alleged that he was beaten up by All Progressives Congress, APC, supporters on Election day, when he was being cross examined by Charles Edosomwan, Counsel to INEC.
He claimed to have recognised them as APC supporters based on their language and stated that they threatened to beat up Voters who did not vote for the APC.
He said, “I am not a member of the Labour Party, but I was assigned as an agent. When the APC thugs recognised me as an LP agent, they beat me up. They also said if voters did not vote for APC, they would beat them too.”
The witness further described the incident, stating that four individuals attacked him during the casting of votes, but he managed to escape, changed his clothes to disguise himself, and returned to monitor the vote counting.
Israel also highlighted cases of multiple voting at the polling unit, noting that INEC officials failed to intervene despite witnessing the irregularities.
The hearing on the petition has been adjourned until July 3, when the proceedings will continue.
