The governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State yesterday adjourned proceedings earlier than expected as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faced difficulties in presenting its witnesses.
The PDP’s counsel, Chief Chris Uche, had planned to call three witnesses, but only one witness, Ayinde Ridwan Olamilekan from Abeokuta, appeared before the tribunal.
Two other witnesses from Odogbolu failed to show up, as their vehicle reportedly broke down on the way to the proceedings.
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New witness
Due to the unexpected absence of witnesses and the delay in presenting their case, the PDP changed the date for closing its case from Friday to tomorrow.
Chris Uche also informed the tribunal that he had submitted the witness statement of an expert witness, Chief Reginald Udunze, along with the expert report.
He allowed the lawyers representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Abiodun time to review the documents since they had just been served.
The witness was reportedly confused
During the brief proceedings, the sole witness, Ayinde Ridwan Olamilekan, who appeared in support of the PDP, stated that he couldn’t recall the date he signed the statement submitted to the tribunal. He claimed to be a voter and denied being a member or supporter of the PDP.
However, during cross-examination, he revealed that he reported his account of the election day events to the PDP Ward Chairman and PDP lawyer.
When questioned about reporting his grievances to the PDP lawyer despite not being a party member, and even writing the statement at the PDP secretariat, the witness struggled to provide a satisfactory answer.
He repeatedly feigned confusion, asking the cross-examining lawyers to rephrase their questions.
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Delta state tribunal declares Ndudi Elumelu winner for Aniocha/Oshimili constituency
In another news, the Delta State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Asaba declared Ngozi Okolie’s win in the February 25 National Assembly election as invalid, ruling in favor of Ndudi Elumelu of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The tribunal then declared Ndudi Elumelu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the rightful winner of the election.
Elumelu had filed a petition, EPT/DL/HR/06/2023, urging the tribunal to disqualify Okolie due to reasons like improper sponsorship by the Labour Party and failure to resign from his previous public office.
