The Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal has fixed the date for the commencement of hearing of a petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu.
Adebutu has dragged Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress to the tribunal, challenging his victory at the governorship poll held on March 18 in the state.
Adebutu alleged vote buying, gross misconduct, and non-compliance with the electoral act.
At the conclusion of the pre-hearing sections on Thursday, the tribunal announced July 4 as the day to tender all documents and papers that were not objected to by either the petitioners or the respondents.
The tribunal also said all documents and papers that were not objected to by either the petitioners or the respondents would be tendered.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Hamidu Kunaza, said “Documents that are unopposed will be tendered and admitted from the bar on July 4, while the trial and calling of witnesses commence on July, 5 2023.
Earlier, the tribunal dismissed an application by Adebutu alleging that Abiodun engaged in vote buying during the election.
Abiodun had in his responses to Adebutu’s petition accused him of vote buying during the March 18 election.
Adebutu, however, asked the tribunal to strike out the paragraphs containing the claims that he bought votes during the election.
But, the tribunal said Abiodun, being a respondent, has enough space to respond the way he deemed fit.
With the settlement of all pre-hearing matters, the tribunal would on July 4 commence hearing of the petition proper.
