Witness Alleges Governor Sanwo-Olu and Wife Voted with Invalid Voter Cards
In a recent development at the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal presided over by Justice Arum Ashom, a witness identified as Dayo Israel claimed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke, were allowed to cast their votes with invalid voter cards.
Dayo Israel, who served as the agent for the Labour Party (LP), was summoned to testify in the petition filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the LP gubernatorial candidate in the March 18, 2023 election, seeking to nullify Governor Sanwo-Olu’s return.
During the examination led by Rhodes-Vivour’s lead counsel, Olumide Ayeni SAN, Israel informed the court that he was the agent for the Labour Party in Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government during the election.
Israel stated, “I observed that the card reader showed their cards to be invalid, but Sanwo-Olu and his wife were allowed to cast their votes, and this is against INEC’s electoral process.”
Under cross-examination by INEC’s counsel, Charles Edosomwan SAN, the witness also alleged that he was beaten up by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on that day.
“I’m not a Labour Party member, but I was assigned as an agent. When the APC thugs recognized me as the party’s agent, they beat me up and also threatened to beat voters if they did not vote for APC,” Israel said.
In response to Governor Sanwo-Olu’s counsel, Muiz Banire SAN, questioning how he was beaten, Israel explained, “During the casting of votes, four of them beat me up. I ran away, changed my clothes to disguise myself, and came back to monitor the counting of votes.”
Additionally, another witness, Sam Okpala, the State Secretary of the Labour Party in Lagos, testified before the tribunal. The petitioner’s counsel, Folagbade Benson, presented a subpoena through the witness, which led to objections from the respondents.
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The Tribunal acknowledged the objections but proceeded to hear the testimony of the witness, instructing the respondents to include their objections in their final written addresses.
The Court adjourned the continuation of the hearing in the petition until July 3.
