The absence of a key witness called by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party governorship candidate, caused a delay in the hearing of his petition against the outcome of the March 18 poll at the state election petition tribunal on Monday.
The witness in question was the 11th person summoned by Rhodes-Vivour in his petition challenging the victory of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the election. Rhodes-Vivour contends that there were widespread irregularities and voter intimidation, leading to an unfair result.
To support his case, the LP candidate has submitted over 20,000 documents to the tribunal. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), along with Sanwo-Olu, his deputy Obafemi Hamzat, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), are listed as respondents in the petition.
During Monday’s proceedings, Idowu Benson, standing in for the petitioner’s lead counsel, Olumide Ayeni (SAN), informed the tribunal that the witness had initially arrived at the court but had to leave for medical attention. As a result, he requested an adjournment until Tuesday.
The tribunal granted the adjournment, and the hearing is set to resume on the following day.
