Bayelsa House Of Assembly Election: ADC Closes Case, PDP, INEC To Open Case

The African Democratic Congress on Monday rested its case after calling 29 witnesses and the Tribunal fixed July 29 for the respondents to open their case.

The party and its candidate, Jude Rex–Ogbuku, are challenging the February 23 election for Ogbia Federal Constituency.

The party closed its case by calling Rex-Ogbuku as the star witness, before the Bayelsa National and State House of Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

The petitioners who dragged the Peoples Democratic Party, Independent National Electoral Commission and 63 INEC officials, are challenging the election on grounds that the election was marred with irregularities by corrupt practices and or non- compliance with the provisions and principles of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

The petitioners are also challenging the election on the ground that the first respondent, Hon. Fred Obua was not duly elected by majority votes.

They are therefore seeking for the cancellation of the election.

Testifying, Rex-Ogbuku, alleged that from the 12 wards that election took place, particularly ward 5, party agents signed election result under duress.

When he was further asked if the result he was relying on in seeking to be declared the winner of the election was the one declared by INEC, he also answered in the affirmative.

At the end of his cross-examination by the three respondents counsel, his counsel K. Oyewole said he had no need to re-examine him.

The three-man panel, headed by Justice K.O Wosu, therefore adjourned the matter until July 29, for the respondents to open their defence.

He also fixed August 14 for the adoption of written addresses.