Tension in Ekiti ahead of today’s election tribunal judgement

Tension is at its peak in Ekiti as the governorship election petition tribunal is set to deliver judgement on Wednesday.

The major contenders of the election which the All Progressives Congress candidate, Biodun Oyebanji was declared winner is the Social Democratic Party (SDP)’s Segun Oni.

As at Tuesday, 27th December, 2022, the camp of the SDP in Ekiti State is hopeful that the judgement would favour them, hence, its candidate will be declared winner today having scored the highest votes.

On the other hand, the All Progressives Congress (APC) camp are insisting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was right in the declaration of its candidate, Biodun Oyebanji as winner, hence, the Petition Tribunal will uphold the announcement.

CAPITAL POST recalled Segun Oni was dissatisfied with the declaration by INEC and approached the Election Petition Tribunal, urging it to declare him as the authentic winner of the Ekiti governorship election.
The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three member tribunal had on November 23 reserved judgment after listening to the sides in the aftermath of the presentation and adoption of written addresses by the parties.

The tribunal later communicated to the parties that the judgment would be delivered on Wednesday.
The SDP State Publicity Secretary, Ganiu Salau, on Tuesday, said, “Our expectation is very high based on the grounds of the demand we presented at the court ranging from the certificate issue against the deputy governor, Mrs Monisade Afuye, and faulty nomination process of Oyebanji and his deputy.

“We have had the two judgments to the level of Supreme Court on the grounds of our demands and our case will not be the exemption as precedence has been established.

“So, these give us hope that we are going to get a favourable judgment. We believe in the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man. We expect the tribunal to deliver the judgment in accordance with the dictates of the law.”

But the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, maintained that there is nothing to worry about in the petition, claiming that the APC and the governor had proven their case beyond all reasonable doubts at the tribunal.

Oyebode said, “We are optimistic of victory. The reason is that the election that brought Oyebanji as the governor was overwhelming. The people voted massively for him. So, the mandate is genuine and was freely given through a free, fair, credible and rancour-free democratic process.

“With all our trust in God, I believe we will triumph at the tribunal because we are children of success, not failure.”