Pre-trial conference will end on 10th July, 2009 in the petition instituted by the Action Congress governorship candidate in the last election in Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola against the election of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The Chairman of the Election tribunal, Justice Ali Garba stated this on Tuesday after delivering rulings on four motions brought against the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the INEC.

Justice Garba, who dismissed the four motions for lacking in merit, also adjourned a motion brought by Aregbesola till Monday, 6th July, 2009.

One of the motions dismissed yesterday questioned the competence of the petition on the ground that it was presented four days after the expiration of the 30 days allowed by the Electoral Act, 2006.

Justice Garba in dismissing the motion held that Form TF002 dated 11th May, 2007 which the AC candidate relied on was the only recognised evidence of presentation of a petition and not Form TF003 dated 18th May, 2007 relied on by counsel to the PDP.

The tribunal also held as lacking in merit a second motion which sought to strike out names of presiding officers for their being lumped up as co-respondents.

It declared that the presiding officers were not lumped up together in a manner that was inconsistent with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2006.

The tribunal gave no order as to costs.