Ogun Tribunal: 77-Year-Man Gives Evidence, Says Thugs Burnt Ballot Papers

• Adeniyi Ishau, 77, testified in the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abeokuta, Ogun State
• The septuagenarian testified that the election started well at his polling unit but was called off after three gunmen stormed the place, chased out voters
• Dr Remi Olatubora (SAN), counsel to INEC, expressed satisfaction with the tribunal’s process thus far in an interview with journalists

Adeniyi Ishau, 77, told the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday how political thugs stormed his polling unit during the state’s March 18 election, destroying ballot boxes and setting them ablaze.

The septuagenarian, from Sagamu Local Government Area’s ward 8, unit 7, was one of ten witnesses who testified in support of the petition filed by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Ladi Adebutu against Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Gordy Uche (SAN), the petitioners’ lawyer, called more witnesses to testify in support of the petition when the hearing resumed on Thursday.

The petitioner’s legal team has called 45 witnesses out of a total of 120.

Dr Remi Olatubora (SAN) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) of Abiodun, and Olanrewaju Baruwa (SAN) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) cross-examined 10 witnesses on Thursday.

The septuagenarian testified that the election started well at his polling unit but was called off after three gunmen stormed the place, chased out voters, and set ballot papers and ballot boxes on fire.

He said;

Election at my polling unit started but was cancelled when voting was disrupted. To our surprise, three people came in motorcycle with guns and chased voters away. Ballot papers were burnt by those who came in. After running away we came back and saw the burnt ballot papers. No result was declared in polling unit due to the disruption.

Ayalekhue Wesley, a banker, claimed to overvote during the election.

Adedoyin Kehinde, Rukayat Adenike, Makanjuola Samson, and Popoola Adekunle are among the other witnesses.

Adenike, of polling Unit 0011, Sabo in Sagamu, was accused of voting at a different polling unit than the one listed on her Permanent Voter’s card.

“My current polling unit is different from the one on my voter’s card because INEC transferred us to another polling unit in 2023,” she responded. INEC should explain why they switched to a different polling unit.”

Dr Remi Olatubora (SAN), counsel to INEC, expressed satisfaction with the tribunal’s process thus far in an interview with journalists.

Olatubora, a former Commissioner in Ondo State, said:

They (petitioners) have called 40 witnesses now. We hope to take on more of these witnesses even though they are basically saying the same thing, identical statements but we will take them as they come.

I’m satisfied as counsel to INEC. INEC is like a neutral party in this litigation but we are also primarily a defendant because the petitioners sued other respondents and INEC jointly and severally, so we have to defend the petition as a respondent.

We are putting in our best in our cross-examination process as we should do, but then we thank God for a good and listening tribunal, they are very patient people and the proceeding has been very smooth and and very fine.