27th October, 2015
GBENRO ADESINA/IBADAN
Oyo State Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Iyaganku Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, western Nigeria, on Tuesday affirmed the election of Governor Abiola Ajimobi as conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on April 11 this year.
In a unanimous decision, the chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Muhammed Aliu Mayaki said the petition filed by Senator Rashidi Ladoja of Accord Party was dismissed as a result of of the fact that all his eviudences presented before the court were unreliable.
The tribunal in a four-hour judgement went ahead to declare Governor Ajimobi as the winner of the election.
The tribunal stated further that the petitioner could not establish that there was rigging during the election as a result, he could not be declared as a winner of the said election as prayed for in his petition.
Soon after Ajimobi was declared winner, members of APC and their supporters took to the streets to jubilate, saying that God had vindicated them.
Wasiu Olatunbosun, former local government chairman in the state said that with the judgment, the governor could now settle down to discharge his statutory responsibility in the state.
“We have won. At least, now that there is no longer distraction, the governor can settle down and start serving his people without any hindrance. I call on all and sundry in the state to join hands with the government of the day to make Oyo State the best place for all of us.”
Most of the journalists were not allowed into the court premises as the court only accredited 22 journalists with the excuse that there was no space.
The security operation around Iyaganku area was led by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade.