ONDO ELECTION LATEST: ACN,ACCORD PARTY HEAD TO ELECTION TRIBUNAL

If you think opposition to the victory of Olusegun Mimiko’s at the polls in the just concluded governorship elections in Ondo is dead and buried, then think again.

Reports say the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Accord Party are set to contest the election results at the tribunal.

The ACN, on behalf of its candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, has filed a 190 paragraph, 403 pages petition against Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mimiko and Labour party (LP).

The party prayed for the nullification of October 20 poll on the grounds that Mimiko was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes; that the election is invalid by reason of corrupt practices and/or non-compliance with provision of the electoral Act.

The petition was reportedly  filed by 20 lawyers including Akin Olujimi (SAN), Lasun Sanusi (SAN), Wole Aina Edward Odugbesan, Kola Olawoye, Charles Titiloye, Victor Olatoyegun, Micheal Lana Esq.

The ACN in its petition alleged several election malpractices including ballot hijacking, ballot box snuffing, massive multiple thumb printing of Ballot papers by Labour Party agents.

It also alleged that the voters register was falsified by INEC to ensure victory of Governor Mimiko.

The ACN accused some political office holders in Ondo State of conniving with security agents and INEC staff to rig the poll in favour of Labour Party.

ACN have listed 117 witnesses from all the local Government in the state except Owo local Government which it won convincingly.

The PDP and its candidate, Olusola Oke, who was the first runner-up in the elections, is still perfecting  papers to also approach the tribunal.

Some eminent lawyers according to sources within the PDP do not want to leave any loop hole in the papers to be presented to the tribunal.

Accord Party’s governorship candidate, James Olawale, has also filed a petition at the election tribunal, seeking to nullify the re-election of Mimiko.

In its petition dated November 8, 2012 and submitted to the tribunal’s secretary, Yusuf Musa, the Accord Party claimed that INEC omitted its log on the ballot paper used for the October 20 governorship poll in the state.

It then prayed the tribunal to order INEC to conduct fresh poll that would allow its candidate, Olawale, to participate.

This promises to be a legal firecracker, we will bring you details of proceedings in Ondo election tribunal as they unfold.