PDP asks tribunal to dismiss APC’s petition as Fayose opens defence The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has told the state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja to dismiss the petition brought before it by the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the election of Mr Ayodele Fayose as governor. During the tribunal’s sitting on Wednesday, the PDP called only one witness and closed its case, while Fayose is expected to open his defence against the petition today. Also, the PDP secretary in Ekiti State, Dr Tope Deji Aluko, who was called to give evidence at the tribunal, said the election that brought in Governor Fayose was peaceful, transparent, free and fair. His evidence was not challenged under cross-examination. Some documents were also tendered by the party lawyer, Mr Robert Emukperuo, who led the witness in evidence. The APC had filed the petition challenging the results of the June 21, 2014 governorship election won by the PDP candidate, Fayose. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Fayose as the winner of the election ahead of the incumbent governor and the APC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. The PDP candidate defeated Fayemi with 203,090 votes compared to the APC’s 120,433. However, the APC alleged that the election was manipulated by the Federal Government in favour of the PDP. The party asked the Tribunal to, “unravel the hidden facts surrounding the election,” saying the poll was more of “a mechanical exercise than the conventional casting of votes.” The party also challenged the qualification of Fayose for the election. It stated that the Fayemi had an ongoing criminal case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It cited manipulation and undue militarization of the election, as well as impeachment of the incoming governor as grounds for the petition.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 02:40:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015