The Edo State Governorship Election Petition
Tribunal on Tuesday struck out the name of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) from a petition filed by its governorship candidate Charles
Airhiavbere against the election of Adams Oshiomhole of the Action
Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the governor of the state.
Mr Airhiavbere, in his petition had named the PDP as the second petitioner challenging the emergence of Mr Oshiomhole as governor in the July 14 governorship election.
Joined as co-respondents /defendants in the suit are Mr Oshiomhole; the ACN; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the Resident Electoral Officer and the INEC returning officer.
Counsel to the PDP, Kingsley Obamoge, after announcing his appearance, informed the tribunal that his client wished that its name be struck off from the petition as second respondent petitioner.
Mr Obamoge said that he had therefore filed a notice before the tribunal requesting the tribunal to strike off PDP’s name from the petition.
The Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Suleman Ambrusa, granted the application since the other counsels did not oppose the application.
The members of the tribunal include includes Justices Suleman Ambrusa, Esor Teetito and Danlami Senchi.
Mr Akpofure led 12 other lawyers as counsels to Mr Airhiavbere while Rickey Tafar, Niyi Akintola and Omoruyi Omonuwa led seven other lawyers for Mr Oshiomhole’s team. Adetunji Oyeyipo, Ken Mozia and Rotimi Ogunreso led the legal team of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Justice Ambrusa had earlier in his opening address, appealed to all the counsels in the case to avoid filing frivolous applications that could slow the proceeding.
He said that the tribunal was ready to listen to all the parties, but urged the counsels to ensure that they filed all relevant applications and papers before the tribunal.
“When we start, there will be no adjournment and we hope to conclude the case within the stipulated time frame prescribed by the Electoral Act.
“Please try and file all the necessary papers as we have all agreed to play by the rules, we will let you know when the conference will begin,’’ Justice Ambrusa said.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the sitting, the Edo state deputy governor, Pius Odubu called on Mr Airhiavbere to tow his party’s line by withdrawing his petition.
Mr Airhiavbere however said in his petition that the process would deepen democracy in Edo State.
He said he was contesting the outcome of the election alleging that Mr Oshiomhole did not possess the minimum qualification and that the Modern School as presented by him (Oshiomhole) to INEC was fake.
He further alleged that INEC did not conduct the election in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2012 (as amended).
On his part, the ACN state chairman, Thomas Okosun said he is confident that the results they got from the polls is what they will get at the tribunal.
Counsel to the PDP Candidate however said the PDP’s decision to withdraw its petition will not negatively affect their case.
There was no noticeable presence of PDP leaders in the court except its counsel.
Mr Airhiavbere, in his petition had named the PDP as the second petitioner challenging the emergence of Mr Oshiomhole as governor in the July 14 governorship election.
Joined as co-respondents /defendants in the suit are Mr Oshiomhole; the ACN; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the Resident Electoral Officer and the INEC returning officer.
Counsel to the PDP, Kingsley Obamoge, after announcing his appearance, informed the tribunal that his client wished that its name be struck off from the petition as second respondent petitioner.
Mr Obamoge said that he had therefore filed a notice before the tribunal requesting the tribunal to strike off PDP’s name from the petition.
The Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Suleman Ambrusa, granted the application since the other counsels did not oppose the application.
The members of the tribunal include includes Justices Suleman Ambrusa, Esor Teetito and Danlami Senchi.
Mr Akpofure led 12 other lawyers as counsels to Mr Airhiavbere while Rickey Tafar, Niyi Akintola and Omoruyi Omonuwa led seven other lawyers for Mr Oshiomhole’s team. Adetunji Oyeyipo, Ken Mozia and Rotimi Ogunreso led the legal team of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Justice Ambrusa had earlier in his opening address, appealed to all the counsels in the case to avoid filing frivolous applications that could slow the proceeding.
He said that the tribunal was ready to listen to all the parties, but urged the counsels to ensure that they filed all relevant applications and papers before the tribunal.
“When we start, there will be no adjournment and we hope to conclude the case within the stipulated time frame prescribed by the Electoral Act.
“Please try and file all the necessary papers as we have all agreed to play by the rules, we will let you know when the conference will begin,’’ Justice Ambrusa said.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the sitting, the Edo state deputy governor, Pius Odubu called on Mr Airhiavbere to tow his party’s line by withdrawing his petition.
Mr Airhiavbere however said in his petition that the process would deepen democracy in Edo State.
He said he was contesting the outcome of the election alleging that Mr Oshiomhole did not possess the minimum qualification and that the Modern School as presented by him (Oshiomhole) to INEC was fake.
He further alleged that INEC did not conduct the election in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2012 (as amended).
On his part, the ACN state chairman, Thomas Okosun said he is confident that the results they got from the polls is what they will get at the tribunal.
Counsel to the PDP Candidate however said the PDP’s decision to withdraw its petition will not negatively affect their case.
There was no noticeable presence of PDP leaders in the court except its counsel.
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