Ogun Tribunal: PDP, Adebutu call 29 out of 120 witnesses against Abiodun
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Governorship candidate at the March 18 election, Ladi Adebutu have called 29 witnesses who testified against governor Dapo Abiodun at the ongoing Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
PDP and Adebutu in the petition marked, EPT/OG/GOV/03/2023 are challenging the victory of Abiodun based on alleged non-compliance to the Electoral Act and corrupt practices during the election.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the petitioners called called 10 witnesses comprising of voters, party agents and members of the party.
Counsel to Adebutu, Goddy Uche (SAN) had earlier informed the Tribunal the petitioners intend to call 120 witnesses to prove their case against Abiodun.
The witnesses all testified against Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that, elections were cancelled in their polling units and their votes were not counted following disruption of election by suspected APC thugs.
The witnesses were cross-examined by O. Keshiro, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), representing Dapo Abiodun and Afolabi Fashanu (SAN) of the APC.
Giving his testimony, one of the witnesses, Rabiu Adeniyi, accused the APC of using thugs to intimidate and harass voters at his polling unit.
According to him, thugs suspected to be working for the APC had stormed his polling unit with guns and other dangerous weapons to disrupt the election.
Adeniyi said, “it is very painful that our votes did not count. Election at my polling unit was cancelled after thugs working for the APC invaded our polling units and starting shooting.
“They (thugs) disrupted the election and our votes were not counted at the end of the day”.
Another witness, Olusanya Yusuf Olatunji also informed the court that, election at his polling unit was disrupted by suspected APC thugs who invaded the polling unit and chased voters away.
The petitioners are expected to call more witnesses tomorrow (Wednesday) as the case continues.
