During the proceedings at the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday, a witness named Dayo Israel made a startling revelation. According to Israel, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his wife, Ibijoke, were allowed to cast their votes in the March 18 governorship election, despite having invalid voter cards.
Israel, who acted as an agent for the Labour Party at Unit 006, Ward 15, Lagos Island Local Government, provided this testimony as part of the petition filed by the Labour Party’s candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who seeks to nullify Governor Sanwo-Olu’s victory.
The witness informed the court that he witnessed the card reader indicating that Sanwo-Olu and his wife had invalid voter cards. However, they were still permitted to vote, which Israel considered a violation of the electoral process established by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He 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.”
During cross-examination by INEC’s counsel, Charles Edosomwan, Israel alleged that he was assaulted by supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on election day. He claimed that he recognized them as APC supporters based on their language and claimed that they threatened to beat up voters who did not vote for the APC.
Israel recounted the incident, stating 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.
The witness also highlighted cases of multiple voting at the polling unit, stating 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.
