Anxiety has been mounted as the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ibadan, will deliver judgment tomorrow (Tuesday) on petitions case filed by the former Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against Sen. Kola Balogun of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who won in the February 23, 2019 National Assembly elections in the Oyo South Senatorial District.
Meanwhile, following the tribunal judgment in Ibadan, the state capital last Saturday which affirmed the electoral victories of Hon. Olaide Musliudeen Akinremi, popularly known as ‘Jagaban’, representing Ibadan North Federal constituency, Hon Tolu Akande Sadipe (Oluyole Federal Constituency) and Hon. Oluyemi Taiwo (Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency) respectively, fear has began to grip both parties.
Recalled that Sen. Balogun at the national assembly election defeated his closest rival, Sen Abiola Ajimobi, with a vote difference of 13,141.
The PDP candidate scored a total of 105,720 votes while the candidate of the APC secured 92,579 votes as declared by the Returning Officer, Prof Kolawole Akinsola of the University of Ibadan.
Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, the APC’s candidate, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and his party had approached the panel to sought legal redress, contesting the declaration of Sen. Kola Balogun of the PDP as winner of the polls.
Ajimobi alleged that there were a number of grievous infractions and established electoral malpractices, calling for cancellation of unlawful votes in some polling units in the senatorial district as well as rerun in these units.
However, the only possible rulings on the matter billed for tomorrow are rerun election outrightly or in specific units/wards challenged or Balogun retaining the mandate.
The tribunal sitting by 9am tomorrow, as gathered, is expected to enjoy tight security.
