The Ekiti State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti has granted two prayers of the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Segun Oni, who is challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, at the just concluded governorship election in Ekiti State.

The tribunal members which had its inaugural sitting today were led by Justice Wilfred I. Kpochi, chairman, Justice Sa’ad I. Zadawa (Member 1) and Justice Jacob A. Atsen (Member 2).

The tribunal granted the prayers of the SDP candidate, Segun Oni, in the motion ex-parte: “an order of leave to effect the service of the petitioner and other processes in the proceedings on the 1st, 3rd and 5th respondents by substituted means, through the national secretary or any other officer of the All Progressives Congress, APC at No. 40, Blantyre Crescent Wuse 2, Abuja FCT”.

Also, the tribunal granted “an order permitting the applicant or its agents for the purpose of prosecuting its petition to take certified true copies and conduct manual/physical inspection of all electoral materials used in the conduct of the governorship election into the office of the Governorship of Ekiti State held on 18th June 2022, in all the 16 LGAs of Ekiti State.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Wilfred I. Kpochi, who read the judgment said the grounds are the pillars that support the applicant’s petitions to continue his petitions at the tribunal.

According to him, they find merit in the motion ex-parte and ordered INEC to give unhindered access to the petitioner to inspect the electoral materials which include BVAS, all ballot papers, and voter registration among others.