By Ayodele Oni
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his confidence in the credibility of the November 16, 2024 governorship election, stating that the people of Ondo State voted overwhelmingly for the right candidate.
Speaking after attending the inaugural sitting of the Ondo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Akure, on Friday, the Governor described the election as historic, emphasizing that his victory across all 18 local government areas was a true reflection of the people’s will.
The Governor said: “The election was free, fair, and credible. The people of Ondo State made history by ensuring that, for the first time, a candidate won in all 18 local government areas.
“That alone speaks volumes about the trust and confidence they have in my leadership,”
The tribunal, presided over by Justice Nelson Ugubu, is set to hear petitions filed by three opposition parties—the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—challenging Governor Aiyedatiwa’s victory.
The PDP, which emerged as the main petitioner, has lined up 43 witnesses to substantiate its claims of alleged electoral malpractices.
Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed his interest in following the tribunal proceedings, noting that it was an opportunity to observe the judiciary at work.
“And, you know, learning is continuous. Even though I’m the governor, I still also want to hear what is going on in the judiciary arm of government, particularly in this election petition.
“Having the legal professionals and the very competent justices on this panel, it’s an exercise for me. I just want to witness it and be part of it. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Legal representatives from both the petitioners and respondents engaged in preliminary submissions, setting the stage for the hearing of the petitions over the coming weeks. The tribunal has adjourned to February 10th for further proceedings.
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