By Dayo Johnson
Akure—THE three candidates that contested the April 14 governorship election in Ondo State, yesterday, expressed optimism that the judgment would be in their favour, even as parties to the petitions before the governorship Election Petition Tribunal argued for and against the conduct of the election and the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The candidates are Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Labour Party, LP; Rotimi Akeredolu, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and Olusola Oke, Peoples Democratic Party PDP.
Speaking separately after their counsels adopted their written addresses at the venue of the Election Petition Tribunal, the candidates expressed confidence in the judiciary.
Mimiko said he was satisfied with the way the cases were being handled at the Tribunal. He said he was not shaken and believed the court would be fair in the judgment.
The governor said that his counsel have been able to prove to the tribunal that his victory at the poll was a true representation of the wish of the people of the state.
Oke said he was satisfied with his counsel, who was able to prove his case.
He said: “We thank God that we have come to the end of this matter, and I have handed everything to God who is the best judge and I’m pleased with the comportment and conduct of my counsel.
“I believe we have proved our case before this court and by the grace of God we are expecting better results.”
Akeredolu, on his part, said he had a good case before the tribunal and hoped the tribunal would do justice. Akeredolu expressed confidence in the three-member tribunal to do justice to the matter.
While the opposition parties, PDP and ACN argued during the adoption of their addresses presented before the three-member Justice Andovar Kaka’an tribunal in Akure, which the election which produced Governor Olusegun Mimiko was fraught with irregularities in the voters’ register used by INEC, LP argued to the contrary.
The three candidates were present in court as their counsel argued their cases.
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