Election petition tribunal (file photo)

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo,  Jarrett Tenebe, on Friday narrated how the conduct of the state deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, led to the cancellation of the result for Ward 11 in Estako West local government during the September 28, 2016 gubernatorial election in the state.

Tenebe who spoke while testifying before the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal in the ongoing hearing of the petition filed by the PDP and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu against the election of Godwin Obaseki, said the Ward 11 result was cancelled because Mr. Shaibu stormed the collation center with guns.

He said: “The results sheet I signed has no Ward 11 because it was cancelled. The now Deputy Governor came in with guns to the collating center. That was an issue. People brought guns to the collation center.”

Tenebe who claimed to have voted at Unit 6, Ward 2, said he received reports from the PDP agents assigned to the 142 Wards in the local government.

Also testifying, another witness, Joe Atohengbe, admitted before the tribunal that the signature on his written deposition was different from the one his party submitted to INEC.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ahmed Badamasi, however warned Counsel to the PDP to stop directing witnesses on what to say, threatening that he would not hesitate to send them out since he had earlier warned them to desist from the act.

Justice Badamsi gave the warning during the testimony of one Omoruyi Edonaye while under cross-examination from respondents’ counsels.

“I will not hesitate to drive out anybody who commit this offense again. I have warned that witnesses must not be directed from the outside bar. It is wrong,” Badamasi warned.

One of the PDP’s Counsel, Roland Otaru (SAN), however apologised on behalf of his colleagues.