Tribunal throws out Jegede’s petition against Akeredolu’s reelection

The Ondo election petition tribunal has affirmed Rotimi Akeredolu as the duly elected governor of the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Akeredolu as the winner of the October 10 election, having polled a total of 292,830 votes to defeat Eyitayo Jegede, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who secured 195,791 votes.

Jegede had approached the tribunal to challenge Akeredolu’s reelection.

The PDP candidate, through Ifedayo Adedipe, his lead counsel, had told the tribunal that the election was marred by “irregularities, violence and intimidation of eligible voters”.

He also submitted that Akeredolu and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, deputy governorship, were not duly nominated by their party.

Jegede asked the tribunal to annul Akeredolu’s victory and declare him the winner of the election.

Delivering judgment via Zoom on Tuesday, the tribunal headed by Abubakar Umar struck out the petition for want of jurisdiction.

Umar said Jegede has no justification to interfere in the internal affairs of the APC.

“Issue raised therein in this petition are settled issue of internal affairs and management of a political party which this tribunal has no jurisdiction,” the tribunal held.

The petition was consequently dismissed.