By Ernest Omoarelojie/Ado-Ekiti & Jide Osokoya
The Ekiti State Election Petitions Tribunal has upheld the election of Engineer Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the governor of the state.
In its judgement delivered this morning, the tribunal chairman, Justice Usman Buka Bwalla, after deduction of unlawful votes from those counted in favour of both Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress and Governor Oni, declared the latter as winner of the 14 April, 2007, election.
After the deductions, Justice Bwalla said Governor Oni of the PDP polled 135,485 lawful votes during the governorship election, while the Action Congress (AC) candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, polled 74,326 votes.
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Reacting to the verdict, AC chairman in Lagos, Chief Henry Ajomale, described the ruling as “highly disappointing”.
According to him, “we are going to appeal the judgement. In view of the overwhelming evidence provided, the tribunal still went ahead to uphold the election. The conduct of members of the tribunal is disappointing.”
Former Lagos NBA Chairman, Niyi Idowu, said: “It’s a judicial magic. One cannot explain how the tribunal came about its verdict of today. The Senatorial election verdict of the same tribunal hammered on the same issue which this same tribunal has ruled in favour of.”
He added: “Not withstanding, we abide by the judgement and we would go for an appeal.”
Meanwhile, Afenifere has rejected the judgement, and urged Dr. Fayemi to proceed to the Appeal Court to challenge the verdict.
Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, said he ws not impressed by the judgement, saying that Oni had earlier announced that he had won three days before the verdict.
He said he was not surprised because the tribunal rejected the forensic report brought by Fayemi, adding that there is more to the judgement than meets the eye.
Before today’s judgment at the High Court 1, Ado-Ekiti, which was delivered 16 months after the conduct of the April 2007 election, the Action Congress gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, petitioned against Governor Segun Oni’s victory, claiming that he won the election and alleged that Oni’s votes were inflated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He alleged at the tribunal that INEC allocated 177,780 votes to Oni and 108,305 votes to himself, insisting that Oni’s election was characterised by malpractices, violence, intimidation of voters and mass rigging in 11 out of the 16 local government areas in the state.
The councils where there are electoral disputes are: Ido/Osi, Ijero, Ilejemeje, Ekiti-East, Ekiti-West, Ekiti South-West, Gboyin, Oye, Ise/Orun and Irepodun/Ifelodun.
During the tribunal’s sitting, 77 witnesses appeared for Fayemi, 57 for Oni and seven for INEC. 50,000 pages of documentary evidence and about 2,000 pages of written addresses by counsels for all the parties involved in the case, were presented before the tribunal, led by Justice Buka Bwala.
In August last year, the tribunal gave an order in favour of Dr. Fayemi that ballot papers in the affected council areas be inspected and scrutinised with forensic tools.
The forensic analysis was successfully concluded by renowned British forensic analyst, Adrian Forty, and his team, in conjuction with Nigerian software expert, Tunde Yadeka, and Folusho Aluko, a statistician.
Yesterday, the chairmen of the warring parties, Hon. Jide Awe of the Action Congress (AC), and Hon. Bola Olu-Ojo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both ascribed today’s victory to themselves in a chat with newsmen in Ado Ekiti.
oludare
28 August 2008 15:32iTS SO SHAMEFUL THAT THIS KIND OF VERDICT WAS RETURNED BY THE TRIBUNAL WITH THE LOADS OF EVIDENCES BEFORE IT. NIGERIA WE HAIL THEE
Clement
28 August 2008 15:38My only worry now is the way Nigerian politicians preempt court judgment! That seems to mean there is some working relationship between them and the judicial officers. Whatever it is, they’ve delivered their judgment but the people of Ekiti know who they give their mandate to.
Onasanya Adekoya Ganiu,USA
28 August 2008 15:40To say the judgement is dissappointing is underscoring the issue.It’s a judicial magic!!With overwhelming evidences at its disposal which ultimately nail the PDP,it is a wonder of the century to see that the tribunal went ahead and awarded justice to the party.
I am pretty sure that the judgement will be reversed at the appeal court and the truthful winner of the election(Fayemi)will take the mantle.
Abodun Oluwadare
28 August 2008 15:41This is another day light robbery perpetrated by judiciary through Justice Bwalla.Ekiti people will resist this injustice.The lame duck governor Oni that cannot will the primary has been declared as the duly elected.Let wait and see how far they can go with this “wuruwuru” judgement.
Long live Ekiti State.
Toyin A
28 August 2008 15:47na wa o o
jagunlabi
28 August 2008 15:50I TOLD U YESTERDAY, I DID SAID IT, IVE SEEN IT COMING!!! EVEN ONI HIMSELF SAID HE WOULD WIN WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF VOTES,AND IT JUST HAPPENED EXACTLY,OK, NOW WHAT NEXT?
akowher ejiro.
28 August 2008 15:54it is a pity that that several months after an election. The fate of ekiti state is not know as whom will be their elected governor.
wale(Berlin)
28 August 2008 15:57I wish Fayemi success at the Appeal Court.But,Oni is not bad as a Govr
AMODU
28 August 2008 16:04Why for God sake will some persons change what is white to be black, i’d followed the proceedings and all evidence produce gave Fayemi an upper hand. men should fear God. to me it’s not over yet, i’ll wait to see the out come of the appeal court vedict, then i will write what is on my mind. Long live President Umaru Yar adua, the good voters of Ekiti and Kogi state
abiodun oluwole
28 August 2008 16:04Any objective person will know that the tribunal did very well. for those who do not blv in anything good until they are on the winning side, this judgement will be another ‘robbery’ on democracy.
i was opportuned to watch the delivery of the judgment live and i think without being biased, no judgment has been sound as this in the recent times. both of them lost votes in the process. the ‘expert’ AC brought to court for forensic did no job and the judge carefully explained what he did and the weight of it and where they failed. the expert cannot manufacture votes. they did no job for fayemi. they destroy the case by their confusion.
i am a nigerian. i blv in justice. i am an ekiti MAN. lets say the truth when it is neccessary. SEGUN ONI won this case excellently!!!!!!!!! this is ligitation, your presenttaion is important. any unbiased lawyer who read the judgement, will praise the tribunal. whether ONI won truly or not is not my concern. my concern is that he had a good case and he defended it very well and the petitioner could not prove his case.
Progress Ekiti………More development. Congratulations Gov ONI.
John Pee.
28 August 2008 16:05My dear Adekoya Ganiu, even if appeal court reverses the judgement, wont it be a blessing to Segun Oni to have another year to his tenure? because bye and large PDP will still rig their way into victory. The one who knows best and judges best is watching.
olusola olagunju
28 August 2008 16:21OH LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE SAVE US
Adebayo Ajayi
28 August 2008 16:41Does it mean that the choice of Governor of Ekiti state is left for 206,811 people which is the total votes added together for both candidates? I think the electorate in Ekiti stste should be close to N1m? I am not a supporter of any of the candidates but as an Ekiti Sate Indegene, this is puzzling! What happened to the remaining part of the population? Are they dis-enfrachised? Someone should pls help me out here!
Ohonusi samuel
28 August 2008 16:55it is a shame on AC and our purported opposition political parties who choose to accept judiciary judgement that favour them alone and are quick to call even the pope names (devil) whenever a judegement is against them. this is not the type of opposition that we expect from AC, with this trend and the way yinka odumakin of afenifere take position on behalf of his group without due consultaions, i do not see how AC can save us from the hands of treasury looters. My advise is that AC should go back to the drawing table and save us their noise making but come out with a better alternative to PDP!
aremu adejare
28 August 2008 16:56by thurnder by force GOD will HARMMER that oni and all his evil follower.won ti n yan wa je ni Ekiti ju OLORUN ko ni gba fun ni ote yii . loruko Jesu keterin kii da ju ibo ra mole ni awo ku lokan kan .orisa oko la saiye rin basu basu
AK47
28 August 2008 16:59Thank God. It is a new dawn for Ekiti.
James
28 August 2008 17:06The tribunal has delivered its judgment. What is baffling is the way Nigerians re-act and comment. If the Tribunal had favoured the AC candidate, oh, the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. Now that the tribunal favoured the PDP candidate, oh, they have collected money. What a country?
olajide bello
28 August 2008 17:13its a rape of law…………………………something must be done to this useless act
Adeyemi Emiola
28 August 2008 17:14It is globally believe that Nothing good can work in Nigeria, even with the so call Judges we have in place, that is why Nigeria are continuing to be backward because there is no enforcement and implementation of law. I am not surprise with the Mr Bwalla verdict on Ekiti election. What qualify all these judges to be reprensenting FG on such issue. Corruption has totally spoil all and sundary in Nigeria. Nigeria still have long way to goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Ascertion 2000 London E13
28 August 2008 17:30My simple advice to Fayemi is to wait till 2011. Even if the Appeal court nullifies the election and there is a re-run, it is only a foolish man that will think that Fayemi will win. He tried his best this time around but his best was not just enough. Though Ekiti people being the most useless elite i have ever seen in the south west never put their votes where their mouth is. They will support you in the open and vote against you when they see money, Kerosine or some few buckets of water like they did for Fayose. It is only the Ondo’s that i respect. They are stubborn and do so for a purpose. They will support you in the open and go to vote where their mouth is. I am Egba and we vote where our mouth is. Though we love Osoba but when he became so garulous, he was voted out and we are still studying current events. Obasanjo despite being president never won his Ita-Eko ward as Amosun beat Daniel hands down there and the votes of the president annulled( which never counted), but i respect those from Ondo state. Fayemi, 2011 is just around the corner and don’t trust your people. They will still stab you in the back and it is type of govt they want that they are getting. Bloody Ekiti people, book for nothing idiots.!!!
Abbey
28 August 2008 17:32The tribunal in this case has up-turn the justice.This is another Power that be in action.But it is a pity that the truth is been concealed.
abiodun oluwole
28 August 2008 17:41i know u will not published my comment bcause this is AC platform. all the same i wish all litigants well in their future endeavours
Seun Adebayo
28 August 2008 17:42U’re doing a great job,plz keep it up
babatope aina
28 August 2008 17:42LONG LIVE EKITI.
kola
28 August 2008 17:46Why are you guys crying about the jugdement?That is the true reflection of Ekitis.You are crying because Ekiti does not allow Tinubu to rule us from Lagos like Pa Adesanya did to ‘Niyi Adebayo,papa was ruling us from Ijebu Igbo.I am using this medium to congratulate Engineer Oni on his re-sounding victory.
Sade Ogunsakin - Muscat Sultanate of Oman
28 August 2008 17:48It is a pity that Mr PITY died on a pity day. Oh pity! pity!!
ay writes from USA
28 August 2008 17:50Anytime AC loses at the tribunals, they always cry foul. However, whenever they are able to secure victory, they sing praise of thesame judiciary, calling them the last hope of the common man. Must the AC always wins? at least, live is a give and take. Sometime you win and sometime you lose. I think it’s high time the AC people learn how to draw the fine lines between the two. NA WA FOR THE AC PARTY SEF.
Adeyemi J B
28 August 2008 18:01Was this the kind of judgement this tribunal had in stock to have kept the whole nation waiting for 16 months? Election tribunal judges for this part of the country were specially & carefully selected to do “good” jobs for their masters. How could Oni would have scored 61,159 votes higher than Fayemi in the same election where both parties had 13 equal seats in the state house of assembly in an election that was held on the same day with the governorship election? Would this very high margin would not have had a great effect on the result of the state assembly election that even nullified one out of the 13 PDP members by the same tribunal?
I don’t have to be a lawyer to know that some of the judges are just playing to the gallery.
Tunde Badmus
28 August 2008 18:05I am very sorry to say this but at the same time i have no option than to say that i’m totally disappointed by the attitude of most Nigerians especially the so called ‘educated’ class -at least it should be given that anyone who is able to sign on to an internet and contribute an opinion is literate, so if this is so, then what could have been the source of this sudden mob mentality amongst even the educated class? People have now been brainwash to the extent that confirmed felons and criminals in our midst are now hidden under their so called fights against the military to impose themselves on us and ending up committing more crimes than the much villified soldiers..
For crying out loud, can anyone tell me the difference between all these criminals calling themselves politicians? I am not an indigine of Ekiti state nor in any way related to segun Oni but what exactly is kayode Fayemi’s antecendents that would warrant the noise garnished with falsehoods about his winning the election and not Segun Oni or jut because he was the candidate of the Alliance of criminals, then he must be the Governor by all means?
I’m even confused atimes whether to believe if some of the contributors on this blog are real or same of the same - i mean some clowns in AC using various names to express their party’s opinion but camouflaging as ordinary Nigerians.
Even if the elections in the state were rigged, so what? Did fayemi and his cliques not rigged likewise? So heaven must fall because Ac was outrigged by PDP? Has AC not been rigging in Lagos state?
So the way people were deceived in pre 1998 elections to vote in rogues like Tinubu and co under the pretense of allowing the so called democrats that ‘fought’ Abacha to get into power - the people that rail roaded Abiola into his untimely death by deceiving the old man - and change things for us in West not to know that these were first class criminals who will later destroy our legacy and Kayode Fayemi also fought for democracy so he must be rewarded with the governorship of Ekiti state?
Talk is cheap hence the uninformed can join these professional tricksters and criminals in AC to deceive themselves; in as much as there is no difference between six and half-dozen, i would rather prefer a segun Oni to a War monger like Fayemi who will only surrender the resources of the state to his Lagos based crooks associates..
Jide
28 August 2008 18:17VERY CORRECT JUDGEMENT. PLS, READ THE COMMENT I SENT LAST. THERE’S NOTHING LIKE JUDICIARY. ITS A FAILED SYSTEM. WOE UNTO THEM !!! ENEMIES OF PEACE!!
JIDE.
Otj
28 August 2008 18:20Personally, I’m will not take side with any of them (Oni or Fayemi). BUt I believe Fayemi will make a good & better Gov. compared with Oni…..he (Oni) acts, look s & govern like a follow-follow politician (PDP arrangee - Chop & keep quiet)!!
We need real, pragmatic & focused young men who will gradually acquire political powers and eventually lead a social revolution in this Country. This judges na human beings too….toro confidence I no get….!!!
Bishop Tosin
28 August 2008 18:21Hope the truth will eventually prevail at appeal.
Tolu Olugbamila (North Carolina)
28 August 2008 18:35There is more to th judgement than meet th eyes.three days ago oni declared himself the winner. 2) the same trinunal that accepted to use forensic tools to scrutinised ballot papers in the affected areas and came back to rejected the forensic report.- i could see KALEJAIYE CONNECTION.
The strugle continues.
Olaitan
28 August 2008 18:35The AC have learnt the lessons that propaganda and effective use of the media mean nothing in law. Law is based on evidence and such evidence must be beyond reasonable doubt. The Punch, Guardian, Independent and Tinubu’s The nation should bury their heads in shame. The AC prosecuted their case on the pages of these papers; bringing in a so called fingerprint expert, scanning ballot papers and sending them by e-mail to the ‘expert’ How on earth could that be accepted in evidence by law when images can be cropped. The should re-strategise and plan. Unfortunately, their Admiral Mr Tinubu is contending secretly with the ICPC and the EFCC so may not be disposed to spending money. 8 years out of power they will certainly struggle to get back to power in Ekiti and the Mobolaji Alukos and his America based group that were spitting fire and declaring that the heavens will fall. This is a lesson that noise made in America or Europe do not mean anything.
Ayour Pee
28 August 2008 18:44I reserve my comments …
niyi
28 August 2008 19:01What a shameful verdict, why did you not allow justice to prevail in the right way. Remember 7 feets all yee tribunal members.
Kunle Rotimi
28 August 2008 19:03Today’s verdict is somewhat interesting! Justice Bwala and co have had their say! But since there is room for appeal, let us see how the events turn out to be in the end. One thing is very clear, no matter how long falsehood travels, truth will overtake it sometime, and very fast too. I have great respect for the Nigerian judiciary, so I will not castigate the Ekiti Tribunal or the judiciary based on this unpopular judgement because I am sure that the judicial caste has made provision for redress at higher court. We can not preempt what the Appeal Court will say! Let all of us keep our fingers crossed and be law abiding. We must not allow violence to dominate our good sense of reasoning in Ekiti and no one should be allowed to instigate thuggery in our State!
allan b.dodondawa
28 August 2008 19:08If it goes fayemi way the tribunal will be applauded,but now that the table turns the other way everybody is commenting on the issue as if there is a political earthquake in Ekiti.lets respect the result and moves on.What makes fayemi a better candidate?is it because he is an AC MEMBER and oni is a PDP MEMBER. I know some FAYEMI political friends that has been working tirelessly to rescue the mandate from oni,If these are the lads he is going to run the affair of the state with we are better off with ONI
femi jones
28 August 2008 19:39Why is it that nearly all the tribunal members appointed in South West are very corrupt? I had predicted this fraudulent verdit to a friend yestarday when I read how the tribunal has been addiing and subracting votes in her judgement in the case of House of rep. Anyway we will await the appeal court hoping that once again the judiciary will act as the hope of common man.
silvano
28 August 2008 19:50“The darkness will never relent in it’s effort, trying to overcome the light . But at the end, the light surely will overcome and stay permanent. Weep not, fellow friends, the PDP, surely will continue to perpetrate evil in our land-NIG, killing, raping and looting the people, but the day of liberation will come soon, and the people shall overcome this evil party, PDP.
Oni may win, judges may err, cos is their regular trade mark ! but the people victory will never be taken away. PDP may try to run the nation for 100 yrs, but the grave they are digging now, they too must be bury in it .
Tijani Abadaunsi
28 August 2008 19:55The Tribunal has delivered its judgement after 16-month long hardwork. I think the people of Ekiti and in particular the political class should join ranks and come together and work together for the betterment of the indigenes of ekiti. Its very important that the politician should show some maturity here so the state could move forward. The people of this state has suffered enough and its time we allow the people who won start the business of goverment.
Alao Ad ediran
28 August 2008 20:29Nigeria judiciary is shit!!!
Same thing that occurred in Oyo state was repeated in Ekiti state.
The judges are being compromised by the ruling parties.
I believe nemesis will catch up with them soonest……..
and there children till the 7th generation will dearly pay for this.
it’s shame on the NJC!!!
damilola seun
28 August 2008 20:46am not supporting any,but i think God knows the best judgement,because everything is for a purpose.but note that positive changes comes from unexpected people.but lets give him a chance to rule and support him.
Dr Pat Kolawole Boboye
28 August 2008 20:58I had been guessing and imagining what gave Oni that kind of strong confidence when he boasted before the press that his election would be upheld by the tribunal.The fact of the matter is,Oni/PDP have bought justice Bwalla’s led Ekiti state election tribunal right from Aso-Rock presidency even the president Umaru Musa Yar’dua regime was deeply involved.The president arranged all these democracy devaluation and decimation current PDP sweep of most of election petition tribunal verdicts and re-ran elections in senate/house of reps and states including Osun state and now Ekiti state.The most blatant one was the Ekiti state election petition tribunal led by Justice Bwalla validating the4 governorship election which was quite very clear to every sane and reasonable Nigerians and Ekiti ketes that was rigged from Abuja.Because, the counting was still going on when the final result was abruptly announced in Abuja even though,the counting of votes were on going.Shame on Umaru Yar;dua and PDP elements in Nigeria.PDP is bastion of election riggers and axis of public treasury looters.Dr Fayemi should appeal to get redress if the judiciary still uphold judiciary as the last hope of the commoners in Nigeria. Dr Pat Kolawole Boboye,Canada. Dr
Olasigun
28 August 2008 21:21It’s alie and a
OSO EMMANUEL TEMITOPE.(U.S.A)
28 August 2008 22:23To me personaly i was highly dissapointed and this judgement is very disgusted.
Justice Bwalla and his members are garcons in judiciary field,This is retributive
justice. inn o kun o Ekiti Kete.(greetings)
Ojo
28 August 2008 23:00It is time for fayemi to get a proper job………..and stop attendind functions all over ekiti …. THE TRIBUNAL SAYS HIS JOB AS GOVERNOR IN WAITING IS FINISHED
Bola
29 August 2008 01:10We all believed in our President as the man of ‘Rule of Law’ so don’t let us take law into our hands but we shall wait and see.
Thanks.
Bola Ajayi
29 August 2008 01:13Lets wait and see…………………..This is unbelivable.
Ayo
29 August 2008 07:37What more should we have expected from a petition that dragged for 16months? Perhaps we’ll look up to God for solace since “failure to proof beyond reasonable doubt” has virtually taken over the discharge of justice in this part of the world.
I never expected anything less.
All Ekiti indigenes should just take heart, count their losses and keep fit for another opportunity that will come their way at next election by 2011.
It shall be well.
Tosyn Eweje
29 August 2008 09:51I dont just know why we like wating money in this country
AK47
29 August 2008 10:38Is this Boboye truly living in Canada? I am always amazed at his dis-jointed logic and analysis. I am wont to believe that the Dr. before his name is for being a fake herbal medicine practitioner and not academic. Can someone be this daft?
Lanre
29 August 2008 11:40i will continue to tell other party to learn how to present their cases before judge rather than using press for propaganda against PDP. (the writer is not a polictician).
Yemstrad
29 August 2008 13:11Thanx a lot for your comment Tunde Badmus. I am not a politician and not even a registered voter this time around as I am tired of wasting my energy to cast a vote that will not count at the end of the day. I am from Ekiti West local government area and i follow with interest the happenings in the state. Who says the two principals in this case are not birds of the same feather? They are all criminals. Who did not know that Ekiti people were not happy with the way late Abraham Adesanya ruled Ekiti State through former governor Adebayo (an AC/Afenifere stooge). They only tried to correct this in the last election, only to fall into the DEN of the LION called PDP. I have not seen anything good in Oni’s government either.
OLADEINDE
29 August 2008 14:06Kindly allow me to say a world to all this old yeye afenifebi who call themselves afenifere I want to tell them that their time is over in this era of our time. They said they were fighting for the cause of the yorubas, while they were only politicising it infact we are tired of them. After failing at AD they shifted to AC Awon arije ninu idaru, awon olote, awon elenu bokoboko, sio yoruba eronu wo.
allan b.dodondawa
29 August 2008 14:08Tunde badmus,i read ur comment passionately i must admit and vote yours as the second to none.pls keep it up
olamide ilesanmi
11 September 2008 15:49hi ekiti kete people, i had been guessing and imagining what gave Oni that kind of strong confidence, i really imagining who stupid person the strong hole to rule ekiti like this pls i will wait to tribunal to know what to do.
olamide ilesanmi
11 September 2008 15:54hi ekiti kete people, i had been guessing and imagining what gave Oni that kind of strong confidence, i really imagining who give this stupid person the strong hole to rule ekiti like this pls i will wait to tribunal to know what to do.
Olumide Asiwaju1 (U. S.A.)
16 October 2008 04:19Can you people give Segun Oni a chance to perform. He won the election and he also won at the tribunal. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Who is this so called Kayode Fayemi anyway? where was he when our leaders and our Obas were fighting for the creation of Ekiti State. All what fayemi is doing is what is called brain watch. Do not traet Segun Oni like an HAUSA or IBO man, for God sake is our son. Mr fayemi, my advise for you, if you don’t want to die politically, i want you to call a press conference and do what Albert Gore did in U. S. A in year 2000.