Tribunal Judgement: ‘Truth Is Constant’, Makinde Lauds Oyo for Giving Him Their Mandate
- Tribunal throws out Adelabu’s petition.
- Makinde promises to continue to serve diligently.
Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde has lauded the residents of the states for entrusting him with their mandate.
This is a reaction to the ruling of the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, which affirmed his victory at the poll.
In its ruling on Monday, the tribunal dismissed the petition against Makinde’s election by Adebayo Adelabu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after admitting the final written addresses of both Makinde and Adelabu, as well as that of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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The counsel to INEC had asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition for being “grossly unmeritorious and lacking in substance” but Adelabu’s counsel and the APC, Yusuf Alli insisted that the petition is meritorious and that other witnesses not called had their statements properly laid before the tribunal.
Their relief was faulted by Governor Makinde’s counsel, claiming they amount to hearsay and therefore, asked the court to dismiss the petition.
In his ruling, the Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Muhammed Sirajo, delivered a unanimous judgment, saying the testimonies of the ward and local government agents, called by the petitioners are not reliable, adding that the agents were unable to speak the truth and merely relied on what they were told by the polling unit agents.
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He also explained that 32 pieces of evidence, out of the 69 witnesses called by the petitioners were hearsay because the petitioners were ward and local government collation agents while the remaining 37 were polling unit agents.
Reacting to the judgment via his Twitter handle, Makinde said: “Truth is constant. With the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal affirming our people’s choice, I once again, thank the good people of Oyo State for entrusting us with their mandate. We will continue to serve you diligently.”
Truth is constant.
With the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal affirming our people’s choice, I once again, thank the good people of Oyo State for entrusting us with their mandate. We will continue to serve you diligently. pic.twitter.com/3or18O24dj— Seyi Makinde (@seyiamakinde) September 16, 2019
