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TRIBUNAL: Sanwo-Olu and wife voted with invalid voter cards, witness tells court
On Tuesday, a witness named Dayo Israel appeared before the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Israel made startling revelations, stating that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife
On Tuesday, a witness named Dayo Israel appeared before the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Israel made startling revelations, stating that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke, were allowed to vote in the March 18 governorship election despite having invalid voter cards. Israel, who served as an agent for the Labour Party, provided this testimony as part of the petition filed by the party’s candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, seeking to nullify Sanwo-Olu’s victory.
According to PUNCH, Israel observed that the card reader indicated that Sanwo-Olu and his wife had invalid cards. However, they were still permitted to cast their votes, which he believed violated the electoral process of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During cross-examination by INEC’s counsel, Charles Edosomwan, Israel alleged that he was physically assaulted by All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters on election day. He claimed to have recognized them as APC supporters based on their language and stated that they threatened to harm voters who did not vote for the APC.
Israel described the incident, explaining that four individuals attacked him during the voting process. However, he managed to escape, changed his clothes to disguise himself, and returned to monitor the vote counting.
Additionally, the witness highlighted cases of multiple voting at the polling unit, noting that INEC officials failed to intervene despite witnessing the irregularities. The hearing on the petition has been adjourned until July 3, when the proceedings will continue.