The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, has rejected the verdict of the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun. Adebutu said he will be appealing the verdict at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement released on Monday, October 3, 2023, Adebutu described the tribunal’s verdict as “a miscarriage of justice.” He said that the tribunal had ignored the evidence presented by his legal team and had ruled in favor of Abiodun based on “technicalities.”
Adebutu said that the tribunal’s verdict was a blow to democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria. He called on the people of Ogun State to remain calm and to continue to support his bid to become governor of the state.
The Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal had on Saturday, September 30, 2023, dismissed Adebutu’s petition challenging the victory of Abiodun in the March 18, 2023 governorship election. The tribunal said that Adebutu’s petition lacked merit.
Adebutu’s appeal of the tribunal’s verdict will be heard by the Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State. The date for the hearing has not yet been fixed