Ekiti guber: Court set to rule on recount of ballot papers
Saturday, September 29 rule on the application filed by the People's
Democratic Party (PDP), seeking the recount of the ballot papers used
for the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.
The PDP and its candidate, Prof. Olusola Kolapo, had dragged the
respondents to the tribunal, challenging the outcome of the
governorship election.
The respondents are the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the winner of the
election, Kayode Fayemi.
The tribunal chairman, Justice Bolaji Belgore, adjourned until
Sept.29, after listening to the arguments of counsel.
The petitioners' counsel, Sunday Olowolafe (SAN), urged the tribunal
to grant the application because "it has the inherent powers to do
so.''
Accounting to him, the ballot papers are relevant for the purpose of
maintaining the case of the petitioners.
He said granting the petitioners' prayers would strengthen Nigeria's
democracy as well as its electoral jurisprudence.
INEC's counsel, Chief Charles Uwensuyi (SAN), in his response, said
that recounting the ballot papers was the responsibility of the
electoral body.
He stated that the petitioners had not established that they have a
right to recount the ballot papers, adding that the idea behind the
application is strange to law.
The INEC counsel noted that though the ballot papers were relevant,
they ought to be admitted first before the tribunal can act on them.
He argued that the petitioners' application sought to bypass the
Practice Direction and urged the tribunal to dismiss it.
Other counsels in the respondents' team aligned themselves with the
submission of INEC counsel.
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