Edo gov’ship: Obaseki knows fate today

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Edo State will today deliver judgement in a petition filed before it by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, challenging the declaration of Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner.

Obaseki, who has already taken over the mantle of leadership in Edo, was declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as winner of the September 28, 2016 gubernatorial election in the state.

It is not clear who will triumph today but both Obaseki and IzeIyamu, through their supporters, have expressed optimism of favourable judgement.

The tribunal had on Wednesday informed parties in the case that it would deliver judgement on all contending issues today.

Led by Justice Ahmed Badamasi, the tribunal started hearing in the case on January 7 this year and ended on April 3, when all parties in the petition completed their submissions at the tribunal, including evidences to argue their cases.

The PDP Ize-Iyamu represented in and were the case by Yusuf Alli (SAN), Roland Otaru (SAN), Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), Kemi Pinhero (SAN), and Ferdinando Orbih (SAN) amongst others.

Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) led other lawyers including A.B. Mahmoud (SAN), H.M. Liman (SAN), Ahmed Raji (SAN) and Onyinye Anumonye in defence of INEC.

Obaseki was represented by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Ken Mozia (SAN), Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), A.J. Owonikoko (SAN), while Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Ricky Tarfa, Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), Rotimi Ogunsesan (SAN) and Dr J.O. Olatoke (SAN) represented the APC.