In a pivotal development during the ongoing presidential election tribunal, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) lone witness, Mr. Lawrence Bayode, Deputy Director of ICT for the commission, testified that the highly contested election was conducted in full compliance with the recently enacted Electoral Act of 2022. Taking to his verified Twitter account, Bayo Onanuga, a prominent figure and political commentator, shared the witness’s statement, causing a stir in the legal and political arenas.
During his testimony, Bayode affirmed that the presidential election held earlier this year was free, fair, and credible. He further emphasized that the technical glitch encountered on the election day did not impact the accurate calculation of the candidates’ scores, as manually computed by polling officers using the EC8A forms at various polling units across the nation.
The witness’s assertions hold significant weight in the ongoing tribunal, where several parties have raised concerns about the integrity of the election process. Bayode’s testimony aligns with INEC’s official stance that despite the technical hiccup, the election results remain valid and reflective of the will of the people.
As the tribunal progresses, legal experts anticipate intense scrutiny of the evidence and arguments presented by both the plaintiffs and defendants. The court will ultimately determine the validity of the election results and its compliance with the Electoral Act. The testimony of Mr. Lawrence Bayode, INEC’s Deputy Director of ICT, will likely play a crucial role in shaping the tribunal’s final decision.
Political commentators and the general public eagerly await further developments in the tribunal, which will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the nation’s political landscape.
Yabman (
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