A group of suspected hooligans have surrounded the governorship tribunal, currently taking place at the Magistrate Court in Abeokuta on June 5, 2023.
News About Nigeria reports that according to an eyewitness, more than 100 thugs were spotted brandishing sticks and other dangerous objects with the alleged intention of intimidating members of the opposition party and preventing them from entering the court premises.
Despite the heavy security presence at the court as early as 7 am, the thugs were undeterred and seemed to have free rein, assaulting perceived opposition members within the vicinity of the court.
Even journalists present at the scene were not spared from the aggression, narrowly avoiding physical harm thanks to the timely intervention of a prominent party supporter who informed the thugs of their professional identity.
The ongoing governorship tribunal in Ogun state holds the crucial task of determining, among other matters, the rightful winner of the March 18 governorship election.
The incumbent, Dapo Abiodun, was initially declared the winner, but his victory is now being contested by the candidate from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abiodun received 276,298 votes, surpassing his closest rivals Ladi Adebutu of the PDP, who secured 262,383 votes, and Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with 94,754 votes.
In response, Adebutu submitted a petition to the tribunal, demanding that INEC conduct a fresh election in 99 polling units spread across 41 wards and 16 out of the 20 local government areas in the state.
Adebutu further alleged that in several polling units, elections either did not take place or were canceled due to disruptions and incidents of over-voting.
