Ondo Tribunal begins pre-hearing conference on NNPP petition against Senator-elect, Ipinsagba, Thursday
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital has fixed May 4 to commence pre-hearing on the petition seeking to nullify the election of Pastor Jide Ipinsigba as Senator-elect for Ondo North Senatorial District in the state.
The New Nigeria People’s Party NNPP had prayed the tribunal to nullify the election of the Senator-elect in Ondo North Senatorial District, Pastor Jide Ipinsigba,over its missing logo from the ballot paper during the last National Assembly election in the state.
The State Chairman of NNPP, Pastor Peter Olagookun and the Secretary, Comrade Adekunle Oluwayomi had denied withdrawing of party from the case saying “It is not true that NNPP has withdrew the case from the Tribunal.
They said they party only appointed another counsel, Segun Ogodo Esq of Segun Ogodo & Co, a firm of legal practitioner of No 2A Ayetoro Street behind Oando Filling station off Oba Adesida Road Akure to act as the new counsel in respect of the matter.
In a statement by the Secretary to the tribunal, Musa Adam said that all applications in respect of the matters to be deal with before hearing.
It stated that all parties, shall not, later than sever days before the first pre-hearing session filed and serve on all parties.
The party (NNPP) is therefore urged the tribunal to nullify the entire election and order for a fresh one to enable their candidates be accommodated over its missing logo from the ballot paper during the election.
The party in the petition, “we are seeking an order directing the 3RD Respondent (INEC) to conduct, within NINETY days of the Judgment of this Tribunal, a new election to the office of the Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District to include the 1ST Petitioner NNPP), its candidate the 2ND Petitioner.
“A declaration that the Petitioners were unlawfully excluded from the election conducted into Ondo North senatorial District, seat of the senate of the National Assembly held on the 25th day of February, 2023.
“An Order declaring the election to the seat of the Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District held on the 25th day of February, 2023 as null and void.
An Order nullifying the election into the seat of the Senate of National assembly for Ondo North senatorial District, of Ondo State held on the 25th day of February,2023 and the return of the 3RD Respondent made there from,”, it added.
