- The court, unanimously, dismissed Adebutu’s decision for “lack of merit” and confirmed the governor’s election as declared by INEC
- Justice Kunaza ruled that Adebutu and his party’s allegations of corrupt practices, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, multiple thumb printing of ballot papers, ballot stuffing, and forgery were not proven beyond reasonable doubt.
The Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has upheld the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Hamidu Kunaza-led three-man tribunal struck out the petition filed by Ladi Adebutu for being “incompetent”.
In a judgement read for 11 hours, the tribunal upheld Abiodun’s election while dismissing Adebutu’s petition.
In a unanimous judgement, the tribunal said “the petition lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed.”
He also described the testimonies of the witnesses brought by the petitioners as “industrially manufactured, mechanically produced and adopted” by them, thereby “proven to similar, too coincidental and unbelievable.”
In the court to witness the tribunal verdict proceeding include Ogun Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedel; Senator Solomon Adeola; his counterpart for Ogun Central, Senator Salisu Shuaib, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Minister of State for Environment and Ecological Management, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako.
Others were the former Speaker of Ogun State Assembly, Hon. Titi Oseni-Gomez, House of Reps member, Hon. Tunji Akinosi, Hon. Motunrayo Adeleye–Oladapo and former Woman Affairs Commissioner, Funmilayo Efuwape.
Also in court on the side of the petitioners are Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu’s running mate, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, and the Ogun PDP chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, among others.