The Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Akure, Ondo state has granted a motion exparte for substituted service on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in the petition filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eyitayo Jegede.
Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Umaru Abubakar also granted the petitioner access to election materials in custody of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for a period of five working days.
Recall that Akeredolu had in a result declared by the Chief Returning Officer, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka won in 15 of the 18 council areas of the state polling 292, 830 votes while the candidate of the PDP, Eyitayo Jegede scored 195,791 votes and the candidate of the Zenith labour Party, Agboola Ajayi got 69,127 votes to come a distant third.
Jegede is challenging the victory of Governor Akeredolu in the state Governorship election on four grounds.
Counsel for the PDP candidate, Jamiu Makinde had in a motion, sought an order to serve the defendants and APC candidate in the election, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, through substituted means, such as posting on the notice board of the tribunal.
He also sought an order allowing the PDP candidate access the materials used for conduct of the October 10 Governorship election, which are in custody of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Umaru Abubakar, who led other two judges of the tribunal, granted the orders.
Among the four grounds that Jegede is challenging the election, are that it was marred by irregularities, pockets of violence, as well as intimidation of voters.
