Following the controversies over the just concluded gubernatorial election in Osun State, an Election Petition Tribunal, on Friday directed the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner to allow the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its Governorship Candidate in the September 22, 2018, election, Alhaji Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola to inspect the election materials.
Chairman of the Tribunal, Mrs T A Igboche granted the order while ruling on the application by Oyetola and the APC seeking the relief of the tribunal for the purpose of filling defence that may arise from the election.
Oyetola and the APC in the application sought the order of the tribunal to obtain the true copies of the electoral materials and conduct physical inspection as it relates to form EC8A, EC8A, and Card Reader Verification records showing the status of the accredited voters.
Lead Counsel to Oyetola and APC, Yinka Okedara while arguing the ground of application said Oyetola contested the September 22 and 27 governorship election and was declared winner by INEC.
The tribunal in the ruling granted four out of five relieves sought by Oyetola and APC to inspect the materials in the presence of all interested parties; it also ordered that INEC should make all the documents and their personnel available between 8 am to 6pm, including Saturday and Sunday.
Igboche however refused the request of APC’ relief to carry out joint inspection with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who has earlier secured its order to carry out similar inspection.
According to the chairman, such will contradict the earlier order granted to PDP in October 11, 2018 by the same tribunal.
The tribunal had earlier granted similar order of inspection to the All Progressive Allaince (APA) and its candidate Prince Adesoji Masilo and other three political parties.
DAILY POST recalls that the tribunal on Thursday granted order to PDP and its candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke to inspect election materials to enable them file their petition.
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