Osagie challenges election at the Tribunal

AKHERE Godwin, Benin

THE minority Whip in the House of Representatives, Hon.Samson Osagie has petitioned the National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City to declare him winner of the Edo South Senatorial District election

Osagie who contested the election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and lost to Mathew Urhoghide of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is also asking the Tribunal to conduct a fresh election throughout the senatorial district in accordance with the provision of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

A copy made available by his solicitor, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) to newsmen stated in part, “that the elections in the Local Governments, Wards, Units and /or centres characterised or marred by electoral malpractices and /or irregularities during the conduct of the Edo South Senatorial District election of the National Assembly held on the 28th March and 11th April 2015 be voided and /order aside and a fresh election ordered thereat by this Honourable Tribunal.

“That a fresh election be ordered throughout the Senatorial District for the election of the Senator representing Edo South District in the National Assembly in accordance with the provision of the electoral Act (as amended).

The petitioner also alleged that; “A witness in the petition said, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion influenced voters at Ward 08,unit 011,at Igobor, Abeti primary school by sharing money to voters on queue backed with heavily armed policemen who intimidated the voters as well in favour of the PDP.

“Chief Igbinedion was registered in Oredo but on election day, he was escorted by policemen through Egor, Ovia NE and Ovia South West on an intimidation to sway votes in favour of the PDP.”