The Ogun state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, on Tuesday, fixed June 19 for its ruling on the allegation of vote-buying and other corrupt practices brought before it by both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, against each other.
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Lawyers representing the petitioners, Dapo Abiodun of the APC and respondents, Ladi Adebutu and the PDP, on Tuesday, disagreed over vote-buying allegations.
The tribunal, sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state, said it would rule on whether it will or not entertain the allegations of vote-buying filed by the parties.
Adebutu, who is the PDP governorship candidate in the March 18 governorship election, is challenging the victory of Abiodun.
Counsel for both parties clashed on Tuesday at the tribunal over allegation and counter-allegations of vote-buying during the election when the three-man panel led by Justice Hamidu Kunaza resumed pre-hearing sitting.
Lead counsel for the respondents, Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), raised the issue of vote-buying against Adebutu and the PDP in one the party’s replies to the petition.
But the Petitioner’s counsel, Goddy Uche (SAN), disagreed, and instead , accused the APC and Abiodun of vote-buying during the election.
The Tribunal, however, adjourned till June 19 to rule on the matter.
Both the APC and the PDP had been trading words in the allegation and counter-allegation of vote-buying during the last election.
A police report had earlier indicted Adebutu of alleged vote-buying with the sum of N2bn naira through an ATM card preloaded with N10,000 each.
Adebutu has, in turn, filed a petition against Abiodun alleging vote-buying.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
