State Security Service (SSS) envisages crisis in Ondo State in the aftermath of the judgment of the governorship election petition which would be delivered between Wednesday and Friday this week.

Mr Boma Sparo-Jack, the Ondo State SSS Director, yesterday said he was not being specific on the date because of the prevailing security situation in Akure, the state capital.

Addressing the Olowo-in-Council in Owo in Ondo, Sparo-Jack urged the council to prevail on youths in the town not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to forment trouble after the judgment. Sparo-Jack reminded the people that there was still a chance for the loser in the petition to seek redress at the Court of Appeal, Benin.

He emphasised the need for Oba Olateru Olagbegi and his chiefs to do everything possible to check violence in the state. The measure, he said, became necessary following the delegate election of NULGE in the state last week in which two buses loaded with guns and other dangerous weapons were discovered.

Also, the Ekiti State Governorship Election Tribunal yesterday in Ado-Ekiti deferred judgment in the petition filed bythe AC candidate in the April 14, 2007 election, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

The Chairman, Justice Bukar Bwala, said at the close of final submissions by counsel to the petitioner and respondents, that the tribunal would communicate the date of judgment to the parties. He commended all the parties for their co-operation with the tribunal. Fayemi is challenging the election of Gov. Segun Oni (PDP) and his confirmation by INEC.

The petitioner had on June 3 closed his case after calling 77 witnesses, including a British forensic expert, Adran Forty, who alleged multiple voting in the election.

He also presented various documents, including the European Union (EU) reports on the conduct of the election, which were admitted as exhibits by the tribunal.

Fayemi, who was the last witness to testify, urged the tribunal to declare him winner, in view of the alleged malpractice in the conduct of the election.

In his defence, Oni called 56 witnesses, including a retired British policeman and finger print expert, Mr John Lazzarreto.

He submitted that the election was free and fair, and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

INEC also called seven witnesses who testified that the election was peaceful, free and fair.