By: Oluwatosin Adesola
The Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal, saddled with the task of handling the complaints emanating from the 10th October 2020 governorship poll in the state, has dismissed a petition filled by the PDP and its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede against the reelection of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN of the APC.
The petition was struck out for want of Jurisdiction and lack of merit
Delivering the judgement virtually, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Umar Abubakar, held that “Issues raised therein in this petition are settled issue of internal affairs and Management of a political party which this Tribunal has no Jurisdiction”.
The court therefore upheld the reelection of Akeredolu.
The tribunal ruled that Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa were duly nominated and sponsored by the APC in line with section 177 of the constitution and section 31 of the electoral Act.
Justice Abubakar said the electoral laws did not specify who to submit the names of candidates, saying “doing so is just for administrative convenience.”
The Chairman of the Tribunal added that copies of the judgment would be made available to concerned parties.
The virtual judgment monitored by Radio Nigeria was also witnessed by the State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa, the petitioner, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, State Commissioner of Police and DSS headquarters in Abuja among others.
