Ogun Gov’ship: Abiodun, Deputy, Speaker go spiritual ahead Supreme Court judgment

Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun and his cabinet members on Thursday resorted to prayers ahead of the final judgement of the Supreme Court in the governorship election battle. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, had dragged Abiodun before the Tribunal, alleging that the governor did not win the majority of votes cast […]

Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun and his cabinet members on Thursday resorted to prayers ahead of the final judgement of the Supreme Court in the governorship election battle.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu, had dragged Abiodun before the Tribunal, alleging that the governor did not win the majority of votes cast during the March 18 governorship election.

Adebutu is challenging the declaration of Abiodun as the winner of the March 18 election in the State.

PDP and Adebutu in the petition marked, EPT/OG/GOV/03/2023 had dragged Abiodun and APC to the Tribunal, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of non-compliance to the Electoral Act and corrupt practices during the election.

The petitioners also alleged that elections were disrupted by thugs in over 99 polling units, disenfranchising over 40,000 voters from participating in the election.

In September, Adebutu’s petition was dismissed by Justice Hamidu Kunaza-led tribunal for lacking in merit.

At the Court of Appeal, Adebutu also lost in a two to one split judgement.

Not satisfied, Adebutu headed to the Supreme Court to seek justice, describing Court of Appeal judgement as “only temporary”.

In a video sighted by our correspondent, Abiodun, his deputy, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, his aides and other members of the APC, were forced to go spiritual, seeking God’s intervention in anticipation of the judgement.

They were seen praying for God’s intervention in the matter before Supreme Court.

Leading the prayer session, the deputy chief of staff to the governor, Toyin Taiwo prayed for victory for Abiodun and the party at the Supreme Court.

He prayed to God not to put the governor and the party to shame ahead of the judgement.

Earlier, the Supreme Court on Thursday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Adebutu and PDP against judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld the election of Abiodun.

The five-member panel, led by Justice John Okoro reserved judgment at a later date to be announced to parties involved in the matter.

The panel had earlier declined to hear the cross-appeals filed by the APC and INEC, insisting that it abides from the outcome of the main appeal filed by Adebutu.