The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the most recent Ondo State gubernatorial election, Agboola Ajayi, has been asked by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to apologize for his recent assertion that APC members knew the tribunal’s decision in advance, which is why they were rejoicing in Akure’s streets.
Apparently, on June 4, the tribunal confirmed that Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the APC candidate, had won the election.
The three-member panel, which was presided over by Justice Benson Ogbu, unanimously dismissed the petitions submitted by Ajayi and other petitioners, citing ineptitude, lack of merit, and diligence as justifications.
The tribunal described the petitions as frivolous as well.
In Akure, the state capital, APC members and supporters celebrated the tribunal’s favorable decision in the streets. However, PDP candidate Ajayi said that their celebrations implied they knew about the outcome beforehand.
He has thus promised to appeal the state election petition tribunal’s decision.
In a statement made public on Tuesday, PDP candidate Ajayi said the party is still considering the ruling but expressed doubts about it.
“Due cognisance and rapt attention has been accorded to the kernel on which the honorable justices based their findings and conclusion, which in our opinion did not accord proper analysis to details of the evidence and exhibits submitted to tribunal while it sat,” Agboola stated.
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Therefore, to put it mildly, we are sad that justice was not served at that level. However, we are not disheartened and will continue to work to ensure that justice is delivered in this case as well as that honesty starts to win out in our political process.
Thus, by appealing the tribunal’s decision to the Court of Appeal, we reiterate our determination to undermine our rights and aspirations to strengthen our dedication to the legal system.
“We take this action in spite of the evident difficulties that Nigeria’s judiciary is currently facing.”
He assured supporters and party members that justice would prevail in the country and state and asked them not to become tired.
A disregard for the democratic process
But the Ondo APC quickly responded to Ajayi’s claims by demanding a complete apology to the judiciary and the many people who cast ballots.
In a statement, the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, called the claim that party members were aware of the ruling beforehand “an unfortunate comment that constitutes an unwarranted attack on the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.”
The APC, however, said that Ajayi’s implication not only undermined the judiciary’s diligence and commitment, but also disregarded the democratic process that the voters used to choose the governor.
We demand that the PDP offer an unconditional apology to the Nigerian judiciary and the thousands of voters who cast ballots in the election, which saw Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa win an unprecedented and resounding victory.
It is clear that the PDP is disappointed that they were unable to obtain a favorable ruling, which they had anticipated would enable them to hijack the APC’s mandate from the voters.
Their accusations of judicial challenges are only a response to their electoral defeat, exposing a pattern of behavior in which the PDP only gives the court kudos when it serves their interests.
The ruling party said, “They would have surely applauded the very system they now seek to vilify if the verdict had gone in their favor.”
