Police Deploy 6,000 as Ekiti Tribunal Delivers Verdict Tomorrow

From Toba Suleiman (This Day Newspaper) in Ado-Ekiti,
The Ekiti State police command disclosed yesterday that it has mobilized 6,000 mobile policemen to take charge of security during and after delivery of judgement on the tribunal case between the Governor Olusegun Oni and Action Congress (AC) candidate Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital over the conduct of the April 25, 2009 rerun governorship election has fixed judgment in the petition brought by Fayemi, for tomorrow.
The notice of judgment signed by the tribunal Secretary Mr. Polycarp Nwachukwu reads: “Take notice that the above mentioned petition has been listed for judgment on Wednesday, 5th day of May 2010 at Court no 1 of Ado-Ekiti at the hour of 9.00am in the forenoon.”
The notice was dated May 3, 2010.
According to the police Spokesman ASP Mohammed Jimoh, the policemen who were mobilized from other state commands had arrived the state over the weekend shortly after a meeting between the state police boss, Mr Chris Kalto and the leaders of the two political parties on the issue of security before during and after the judgment.
The AC and its candidate in the election, Fayemi had filed the petition shortly after the election challenging the results in six wards, including Ifaki I and II, Usi and Orin/Ora ward of Ido/Osi and Ipoti A and B of Ijero council.
The Respondents in the petition are Governor Segun Oni, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the state resident electoral commissioner, electoral officers for Ido/Osi and Ijero Councils, the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo.
Fayemi and the AC had based their petition on their opposition to the result announced by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Ayoka Adebayo for the disputed wards on two grounds.
They maintained that Oni was not duly elected by the majority of votes cast at the election and that the election and return of Oni was invalid by reasons of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2006.
Throughout the almost a year period the proceedings lasted, while presenting their case, the petitioners called 47 witnesses to prove their case while Oni called 67 witnesses. The PDP called 31 witnesses while INEC called 32 .
While assuring people of the state of the security of their lives and property, Jimoh said the police is ready to curtail any crisis that may break out after the judgment. He said all the party leaders have also been cautioned to control their supporters to ensure that peace reigns in the state.

He disclosed that the command would embark on stop and search operation throughout the state to ensure that arms and ammunition are not brought in to cause a break down of law and order.
Meanwhile, it was observed yesterday that armour personnel carriers (APC) as well as trucks loaded with anti riot policemen had started patrolling the streets of Ado-Ekiti.