A total of 17 petitions from aggrieved candidates are before the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting Ibadan.
The petitions which include four involving the Senatorial and 13 for the House of Assembly, arose from the elections held on February 23 and March 9, this year.
The Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mutiu Agboke disclosed this at the presentation of certificates of return to the Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, deputy Governor-elect, Rauf Olaniyan and 32 members-elect in the state House of Assembly.
Makinde and Olaniyan who contested under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won the gubernatorial election held on Saturday 9th March.
Agboke said, “Presently, arising from the general elections in the state, we have a total of 17 petitions before the Oyo State Election Petition Tribunal.
“The breakdown is four senatorial and 13 House of Representatives petitions. Filing and hearing of election petitions fall into post-election activities as aggrieved candidates are given the opportunity of presenting their grievances before the judiciary.
“After each general election, it is customary with the commission to organise retreats, workshops and seminars involving all relevant stakeholders in order to conduct wholistic review of the election and profer necessary amendments and corrections where necessary. In the course of these interactions, reports from both domestic and foreign observers missions/groups would be critically analysed and thoroughly considered.
“The commission, in collaboration with all the strategic stakeholders will continue to improve on the electoral process in order to further consolidate our democracy. No stone shall be left unturned in our journey to being the flagship among the election management bodies in Africa.
He therefore said “on behalf of the entire staff of INEC Oyo State, let me express very hearty congratulations to the Excellencies, the Governor-elect, the deputy Governor-elect and the 32 honourable members of the Oyo State House of Assembly. We wish you a very successful, positive and impactful tenure as you take the leadership responsibility of Oyo State”.
