Security Officers Ran Away When Thugs Invaded Polling Unit During Polls, Witness Tells Tribunal

ABEOKUTA - Festus Abiodun Inioluwa, a witness at the ongoing Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Friday, recounted how security operatives attached to his pollimg unit, ran away when thugs invaded the center and disrupted the election on March 18.

Festus was amongst the witnesses called by the petitioners, the Peoples Demicratic Party, PDP, and its governorship candidate in the election, Ladi Adebutu.

Adebutu is challenging the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election.

For the second week returning, the petitioners counsel, Gordy Uche, SAN, has led witnesses in evidence in support of the petition.

At the end of the sitting on Friday, 83 witnesses have been led in evidence and cross examined, including two INEC adhoc staff wh9 were presiding officer and assistant presiding officer in the last election.

Additional four witnesses that were called on Friday included Festus, Balogun Oladipo, Mustapha Gbenga and Olugbile Emmanuel.

They were cross-examined by Dr Remi Olatubora (SAN) representing INEC, Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) who appeared for Abiodun and Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), who represented the All Progressives Congress.

While being cross-examined, Festus, a member of PDP, told the tribunal that political thugs allegedly loyal to APC disrupted the election at his polling unit 12, ward 6 in Sagamu.

He said police officers and other security agents manning the polling unit ran away during the disruption of the exercise.

Responding to a question on whether or not he reported the alleged disruption to the police, the witness said "I did not report. Police officers were on ground, but they ran away when thugs stormed the polling units and disrupted the exercise."

Inioluwa also agreed with his party that a total of 49,066 voters were disenfranchised during the March 18 governorship election in the state.

On his part, Oladipo, a PDP youth leader in Sagamu, described the election as not credible, adding that over 99 polling units were attacked across Ogun State.

He said, "The last election was not credible. Almost 99 polling units were attacked across Ogun State. If it was credible we will not be in court."

Gbenga, who is a witness from Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, said

No result was recorded for any of the parties.

"The APC guys scattered everywhere and we all ran away. My mother dragged me home."

Meanwhile, Justice Hamidu Kunaza-led tribunal has adjourned proceeding till Monday for the continuation of hearing.