SANWO-OLU’S WIFE VOTED USING A FAKE PVC, A WITNESS TELLS THE TRIAL

By Tunji Wusu –

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his wife, Ibijoke, were permitted to cast their votes in the March 18 governorship election despite holding illegal voter identification cards, according to a witness, Dayo Israel, who testified before the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday.

Israel delivered this statement as part of the appeal submitted by the Labour Party candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, to invalidate Governor Sanwo-Olu’s election in Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government. Israel functioned as an agent for the Labour Party in this area.

The witness testified in court that he saw the card reader indicate that Sanwo-Olu and his wife had invalid cards but were still allowed to vote, which he saw as a violation of the Independent National voting Commission’s voting procedure.

“I observed that the card reader indicated that their cards were invalid, but Sanwo-Olu and his wife were allowed to vote, which is contrary to INEC’s electoral process,” he added.

Under cross-examination by INEC counsel, Charles Edosomwan, Israel said that on election day, he was beaten up by All Progressives Congress supporters.

He alleged that based on their language, he recognized them as APC members and that they threatened to beat up anybody who did not vote for the APC.

“I am not a member of the Labour Party,” he explained, “but I was assigned as an agent.” When the APC thugs realized I was an LP agent, they assaulted me. They also stated that if electors did not vote for the APC, they would defeat them.”

Israel went on to explain the incident, saying that four people attacked him while he was voting, but he managed to flee, change his clothes to conceal himself, and return to observe the vote counting.

The witness also mentioned instances of repeated voting at the polling unit, stating that despite observing the anomalies, INEC officials did not act.

The petition hearing has been postponed until July 3, when the proceedings will resume.