Akure — GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, yesterday, asked the Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in the state to dismiss the application of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the last governorship election, Chief Olusola Oke, for lack of additional facts and evidences to argue its petition.

Consequently, the tribunal Chairman Justice Andovar Kakaâ, said the tribunal had reserved ruling on this and other 33 applications for February 4, while it extended the ongoing pre-trial period for the petitions by 14 days starting from January 25.

At the resumed pre-trial of the petitions filed by three political parties - Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; PDP and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, challenging the governor's victory in the election, Dr. Mimiko said granting the application would contravene the 21 days allowed by the Electoral Act.

Other respondents the Labour Party, LP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, argued through their counsels that the PDP candidate was trying to amend its petition after the stipulated 21 days granted by the electoral law.

The counsel to the PDP, Dr. Kayode Olatoke, in a motion brought before the tribunal, prayed the court to grant the party leave to produce additional facts and evidences to argue its petition.

Olatoke said granting the application, the respondents would not be prejudiced in any manner. But the respondents unanimously opposed the application.