Osun Tribunal: Oyetola To Open Defence Jan 30, As INEC Closes Case Without Calling Oral Evidence

The Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal has adjourned to
January 30 this year for the state Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola to
open his defence.

The tribunal is hearing the petition filed by the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship
election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Isiaka, challenging the
decision by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to
declare Oyetaola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) winner of the election.

The petitioners are alleging, among others, that the election
results were doctored to favour the APC candidate. It is also their
contention that the election was marred with fraud and that it was
not held in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo announced on
Thursday, after INEC closed its case, that the tribunal will
adjourn and return on January 30 when the second respondent will
open his case. Oyetola is listed as the second respondent in the
petition.

INEC, listed as the first respondent to the petition, opened its
case last Friday and closed on Thursday, without calling oral
evidence, but relied solely on documentary evidence.

The electoral body, while tendering all documents relevant to
the election, including result sheets as announced by its
officials, said it chose not to call oral evidence because the
petitioners have not made out sufficient case to disprove the
credibility of the election and the results it announced.

INEC opened its case at the closure of the case of the
petitioners, who tendered documents and called oral evidence.

Most of the petitioner’s witnesses were PDP’s agents at the
polling units where elections held.

Majority of the witnesses, who were artisans and traders, were
barely literate and able to express themselves in English
language.

Some of them could also not read when called upon to read
portions of the statements they claimed were written for them by
their lawyers, but which they signed.

US, UK Warns Politicians on 2019 Elections

The United States and the United Kingdom announce repercussions,
including visa restrictions, for election interference and
election-related violence.

U.S. Statement
The conduct of the upcoming elections in Nigeria is important not
only for Nigeria, but for the African continent.

The United States government does not support any specific
candidate or party in Nigeria’s upcoming elections. The United
States supports the Nigerian democratic process itself. We support
a genuinely free, fair, transparent, and peaceful electoral
process.

We, and other democratic nations, will be paying close attention
to actions of individuals who interfere in the democratic process
or instigate violence against the civilian population before,
during, or after the elections. We will not hesitate to consider
consequences – including visa restrictions – for those found to be
responsible for election-related violence or undermining the
democratic process. Under U.S. immigration law, certain violations
may also lead to restrictions on family members.
We welcome the signing of peace pledges by Nigerian candidates and
their commitment to a peaceful electoral process.
……….

UK Statement
23 days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections and 37
days to the Gubernatorial and State Assembly elections, the British
High Commission in Abuja would like to reaffirm our strong support
for free, fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria.

We and our international partners remain committed supporters of
Nigeria’s democracy. We do not support any party or individual and
believe that the Nigerian people should be able to choose their
leaders in an environment free from hate speech and insecurity.

We continue to provide significant support to Nigeria’s
Independent National Electoral Commission and to Nigerian civil
society to help them deliver credible elections. We also regularly
engage with actors across the political spectrum to encourage them
to respect electoral rules and maintain an atmosphere of peace and
calm. We will be deploying an extensive observation mission for the
forthcoming elections, including coordinating with the EU’s
Election Observation Mission.

Our monitors will in particular be looking out for any attempts
to encourage or use violence to influence the elections, including
on social media. We would like to remind all Nigerians that where
the UK is aware of such attempts, this may have consequences for
individuals. These could include their eligibility to travel to the
UK, their ability to access UK based funds or lead to prosecution
under international law.

The UK is a friend and partner of Nigeria. We hope our continued
support will play a role in helping Nigeria take a further step
towards consolidating the progress made since democracy returned in
1999.

PRNigeria