By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure has said it has received four petitions from dissatisfied candidates in the just concluded National and State Assemblies election in Ondo state.
The Secretary of the Tribunal, Livinus Ugwu stated this while speaking with newsmen in Akure on Tuesday.
The first petition is that of the Mega Party of Nigeria, (MPN) challenging the declaration of Senator Ajayi Boroffice as Senator-elect for the Ondo North Senatorial district in the National Assembly election.
Counsel to the MPN, Remi Olatubora, submitted that INEC erred by unlawfully excluded the Mega Party of Nigeria from the ballot list and called for Nullification of the election and order for fresh election in the district.
The second petition received was from a journalist, Donald Ojogo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the declaration of Kolade Akinjo sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Ilaje/Eseodo Federal Constituency in the February 23rd General elections.
Counsel to the petitioner, Isaac Kekemeke hinged the petition on the ground that the declaration violates 2019 regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections and asked the court to declare the election inconclusive and called for a supplementary election in the constituency.
In another petition, Albert Akintoye of the APC challenged the declaration of Ikengbolu Gboluga of the PDP as a member representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency on the ground that he gathered the majority of the lawful votes cast in the election but was manipulated by INEC in favour of the PDP.
Counsel to the petitioner, Yinka Orokoto in his prayers sought an order setting aside the certificate of return issued by INEC to Gboluga and declare Akintoye as member-elect for the constituency.
Also in another petition, Abayomi Akinfemiwa of the PDP challenged the declaration of Mayowa Akinfolarin of the APC as member-elect for Ileoluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.
The petitioner through his counsel, Olumide Ogunja submitted that election in some of the wards such as Odigbo, Ore, oniparaga and Koseru were characterized by irregularities against electoral law 2011 as amended.
Ogunja contends that Akinfemiwa having scored the highest number of lawful votes ought to have been returned and should be returned as member-elect representing the Constituency.
The Tribunal headed by Justice Nuhu Adi and has as members Justices V.U. Okorie and K.M. Alabo is yet to have a formal sitting.
Meanwhile the Tribunal Secretary, Ugwu noted that the court has granted interlocutory applications for an order directing INEC to present for inspection materials used for the conduct of the elections and to make certified true copies available to the petitioners.