Ajimobi wins, Oyo tribunal dismisses Ladoja’s case

Tuesday, October 27, 2015 2:36 pm

Governor Abiola Ajimobi: election affirmed

Senator Rasheed Ladoja, candidate of the Accord Party in the April 11 governorship election in Oyo state, has lost his battle to claim the throne.

On Tuesday afternoon, in Ibadan, the Oyo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed his petition and instead upheld the election of Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

The unanimous judgment was read for four and half hours by the Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Mohammed Mayaki.

The tribunal held that Ladoja and Accord “failed woefully” to prove their allegations of rigging, electoral malpractices, violence and non-compliance with the Electoral Act among others, beyond reasonable doubt.

The tribunal resolved all the issues determined in favour of Ajimobi.

It rejected the evidences presented by all Ladoja’s witnesses, saying they were not specific to incidents as claimed and also that they failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

After the judgment, APC supporters took to the streets in jubilation.

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 just 22 journalists under the ground that there was no space.

The security operation around Iyaganku area was led by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade.

*Reported by Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan