Ekiti guber: PDP loses bid to recount ballot papers

The Ekiti Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the recount of ballot papers used in the July 14 poll, NAN reports.

The PDP and its candidate, Prof. Olusola Kolapo are challenging the outcome of the election in court.

The respondents in the matter are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Dr Kayode Fayemi, winner of the election.

Ruling on the application, the Chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Bolaji Belgore, declared that the application lacked merit.

Belgore noted that Ekiti had 177 wards with 2,197 polling units in 16 local government areas but the petitioners only complained of 325 polling units in their petition before the tribunal.

The chairman said PDP and its candidate did not complain about all the 2,197 polling units in the state.

“To pray for recount in all wards and polling units across the state is to make firm nonsense of the petitioners’ pleading,” Belgore said.

According to him, pleadings were written statements of parties in a procedure wherein they clearly state the materials, including documents; they will rely on in the proceeding.

He said the tribunal could only admit where it was supported by pleading, adding that what the petitioners wanted could not be situated in their pleading before the tribunal.

The chairman further said that the evidence so generated from the recount would have no basis in the proceeding.

He added that what the petitioners wanted to do was to spring a surprise on the respondents which they would not be able to respond to as time for pleading had closed.

He stated that the tribunal was in agreement with the submission of the counsel for Fayemi, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), that the petitioners were fishing for evidence under the guise of recounting the ballot.

“The secretary of the tribunal cannot be a party to do what the application wanted,” Justice Belgore stated.

He, therefore, declared, “we hereby rule that the application is lacking in merit.”

More News

Tsohon gwamna Shema ya ziyarci gwamna Dikko Radda

Tsohon gwamnan jihar Katsina, Ibrahim Shehu Shema ya ziyarci gwamna mai ci, Dikko Radda a gidan gwamnatin jihar. Shema wanda ya mulki jihar Katsina daga...

Senator Abubakar Kyari Steps in as Acting National Chair of APC Following Adamu’s Resignation

Senator Abubakar Kyari, Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has become the party's acting National Chairman following the resignation of...

Kogi State Government Pledges Strong Action Against Criminals Ahead of Governorship Election

The Kogi State government has reaffirmed its commitment to confront criminals terrorizing the state, assuring citizens of a peaceful governorship poll scheduled for November...

President Tinubu Appoints Taiwo Oyedele as Chairman of Tax Reforms Committee

President Bola Tinubu has established a Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms and appointed Taiwo Oyedele, Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax...