Election Petition Tribunal on the governorship election in Osun State has granted the All Progressives Congress access to the election materials, including scanning of ballot papers used for the election among others.
The counsel to the APC, Mr Yomi Aliyu in an oral application on behalf of the petitioners, had sought an order of the Tribunal to order INEC to allow APC access to the election materials, including scanning of ballot papers.
Ruling on the applications, the Tribunal Chairman, Justice Tertsea Aorga Kume granted the request, ordering the 1st respondent to allow 1st and 2nd petitioners/applicants access to materials used for the conduct of the election and to allow the petitioners scan the ballot papers used for the exercise.
It would be recalled that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had challenged the outcome of the July 16 governorship election in which the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Ademola Adeleke as the winner.
Substituted service
The Tribunal has also granted the application for substituted service, allowing the bailiff to paste a copy of the document on the tribunal notice board for the 2nd respondent’s attention.
Governor Adeboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress, APC had requested the tribunal to grant the motion exparte for a substituted service on the state governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress, APC, through their counsel, Mr Aliyu said Adeleke had been evading efforts by bailiff to serve him with the petition.
According to the counsel, the 1st and the 3rd respondents, INEC and PDP have been served but Adeleke refused to collect the document from bailiff when the court official got to his house to serve him.
“The bailiff was kept at the gate to wait for instruction to drop the message but the security guard later ordered the bailiff to leave as there was no instruction to collect the document and he has to leave the scene for his safety”, he added.
Meanwhile, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had on Sunday expressed faith in the Nigerian judiciary in respect of his petition before the tribunal. He said his faith remains firm and unshaken, saying he and the party have confidence of emerging victorious at the tribunal.
The governor said this during the annual photograph and videography day celebration on Sunday in Osogbo.
”For now, there is a little setback and challenge, but I want to assure you that we are standing tall and confident of victory.
“With what we have before the tribunal, there is no cause for alarm.
“We believe that by the grace of God, we will glorify God and celebrate our victory”, he said.
The governor appreciated the people of the state for their support for his administration since inception.
The State Chairman of APC, Prince Gboyega Famodun who was at the court premises also expressed confidence of victory at the tribunal.
The tribunal was presided over by Justices Tertsea Aorga Kume, Chairman and Benedict Amangbo Ogbuli.
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