At least 17 petitions challenging the outcome of the 2015 general election in Ondo State have been received by the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in the state from the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Five of the petitions were filed by the PDP candidates, challenging the House of Assembly election in five constituencies, where APC candidates emerged as winners. The constituencies included the Akure Constituency I, Akoko South-West constituency I and II and Akoko North-East constituency I.

The APC also filed three of its petitions for the House of Representatives, while one is for the Senate and eight others petitions were filed to challenge the results of the House of Assembly constituencies.

Secretary of the Tribunal, Jemilu Bako, who disclosed this at the weekend, said the tribunal would resume sitting today, when it would hear ex parte applications from the counsel to the petitioners and defendants.

Some of the APC members, who are challenging the outcome of the election results included Olabamide Olanubi for Ondo West/ East federal constituency, Lucky Ayedatiwa Ilaje/Ese Odo federal constituency and Victor Akinmoyero Okitipupa/Irele federal constituency.

The APC candidates are challenging the victory of the PDP candidates in their various federal constituencies. The APC senatorial candidate for the southern district, Morayo Lebi, is challenging the victory of Pastor Yele Omogunwa of the PDP for the district, while the party is also challenging the victory of the PDP candidates in eight state constituencies, including that of Ilaje, Akoko North-East, Ondo East and West state constituencies.

It will be recalled that two candidates of the APC, Senator Ajayi Boroffice and Chief Tayo Alasoadura won the Ondo North and Ondo Central, but PDP did not challenge the victory of the two member-elects on the platform of APC.

The APC also won five of the nine House of Representatives seats, while the ruling PDP won in four federal constituencies.

It was gathered that the legal team of the PDP would be led by former Commissioner for Adult and Vocational Education, Mr Remi Olatubora, while Dr Tunji Abayomi would lead the legal battle for the rival APC.

Tribunal members included Justices O. A Ogar, J.U Obiora and A. B Akogun.

Justice Ogar would serve as chairman and they would listen to applications of both the petitioners and defendants.

•Adapted from Nigerian Tribune.

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