It was tight security around the Osun state High Court premises on Friday as Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the vice Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Party, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), appeared before the Elections Tribunal hearing arising from the August 9 governorship election in the state.
None of the previous sittings has had the number of security agents like the one of this Friday.
As usual, the police had the road closed to ward off commercial vehicles and motorcycles, while private cars with verifiable missions around the area were allowed to move on the road.
Enough security ag3ents were on hand to make sure that no security threats arises on the venue.
The duo appeared before the Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime-led tribunal on the day when the second respondent, the APC opened their defense in the petition filed by Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party to challenge Aregbesola’s victory.
Osinbajo, who led witnesses, called by the second respondent, in evidence.
While the APC called Isahu Olawale from Ejigbo Local Government Area; Musa Abdulbaki from Osogbo Local Government Area; Opeyemi Olalemi from Atakumosa East and Ayomide Otegbayo from Obokun Local Government Area.
All the four witnesses certified the election to be credible, free, and fair.
The panel adjourned the sitting to Saturday for the APC to continue with the testimonies of their witnesses.
Osinbajo insisted in an interview with journalists after the proceedings that the August 9 governorship poll in the state was credible. He said, “We called all of the witnesses we wanted to call and they all performed very well. We hope to see clearly that this was a free and fair election and that the APC won the election fair and square. That is what we certainly hope to see.” Aregbesola said he was at the tribunal to honor the panel and to fraternise with Osinbajo, who is the running mate to Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the presidential candidate of the APC. He said he was pleased with the testimonies of all the witnesses called by the second respondent to defend his victory against the petition.
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