The Osun Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, on Monday, adjourned until October 4 the pre-hearing of a petition filed by Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola, against the declaration of Ademola Adeleke as the governor-elect.
Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress lost the election held on July 16 to Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Tertsea Kume, fixed the date and granted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP and Adeleke seven days to respond to the pre-hearing form served on them by the tribunal.
Earlier, counsel to the APC, Prof. Kayode Olatoke (SAN), had informed the court of his readiness to continue with the pre-hearing session, having filed his form TF008, where issues for determination were raised.
At the request of the tribunal for advice, Olatoke suggested that the matter should be delayed for a few hours for the respondents to also respond to the tribunal pre-hearing form.
Counsel to INEC, Ben Ananaba (SAN), said the pre-hearing could not go on because he was served with the pre-hearing form in the morning, requesting for seven days to respond.
Counsel to Adeleke, Bamidele Abolarin, and counsel representing PDP, Nathaniel Oke (SAN), also requested the tribunal to give them the required seven days to respond.
Addressing newsmen after the sitting, Olagoke said the adjournment was not out of place, but the tribunal had the power to abridge the days required for any of the parties to respond.
INEC had declared Adeleke winner of the July 16 governorship election having polled a total number of 403,271 against 375,027 polled by Oyetola. (NAN)
