In a dramatic twist during the ongoing Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, a witness came forward on Monday to testify that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke, were allowed to cast their votes despite their voter cards being invalid. The witness, Dayo Isreal, an agent of the Labour Party, was subpoenaed to provide evidence in the petition filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s candidate in the March 18 election, who seeks to nullify the return of Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy.
Led by Rhodes-Vivour’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Olumide Ayeni, Isreal appeared before the tribunal and revealed the alleged irregularity that took place at Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government during the Governorship Election. Isreal stated that he observed the card reader showing the governor’s and his wife’s cards as invalid, but they were still permitted to cast their votes, which he argued was against the electoral process of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Under cross-examination by the counsel representing INEC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Charles Edosomwan, the witness further claimed that he was assaulted on that day by some All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters. Isreal asserted that he recognized them as APC supporters based on their conversation and that they assaulted him upon identifying him as an agent for the Labour Party. He further claimed that the assailants threatened to beat voters who did not vote for the APC.
When asked by Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Muiz Banire, to describe the assault, Isreal explained, “During the casting of votes, four of them beat me up. I ran away, changed my clothes to disguise myself, and returned to monitor the vote count.”
Isreal also highlighted cases of multiple voting, alleging that he observed more than three to four individuals casting votes multiple times at the polling unit. He criticized the INEC officials for failing to intervene despite witnessing such incidents during the election.
During questioning by the counsel representing the APC, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Abiodun Owonikoko, the witness provided specific details about the polling unit where Governor Sanwo-Olu voted. Isreal stated that 126 people were accredited at the polling unit, out of which the APC received 121 votes, while the Labour Party was allocated only two votes.
Another witness, Sam Okpala, the secretary of the Labour Party in Lagos State, was also subpoenaed to testify before the tribunal. Okpala’s appearance, facilitated by the petitioner’s counsel, Folagbade Benson, prompted objections from the respondents. However, the tribunal overruled the objections and allowed the witness to testify, ordering the respondents to include their objections in their final written addresses.
Under cross-examination by INEC’s counsel, Okpala confirmed that he appeared before the tribunal solely because he was subpoenaed and clarified that he had not provided a written statement.
The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal continues to hear testimonies and gather evidence as the case unfolds. The proceedings aim to establish the veracity of the claims made by the petitioners and determine the validity of the election results.
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