Ondo tribunal: APC demands apology over Ajayi’s judgment leak claim

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress members had a pre-knowledge of the verdict of the tribunal, a reason they were celebrating on Akure streets.

He, therefore, vowed to appeal the judgment of the state election petition tribunal.

The tribunal, in its judgment on June 4, affirmed the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the election, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by the three-man tribunal led by Justice Benson Ogbu, the tribunal dismissed the petitions of Ajayi and other petitioners, on the grounds of incompetence, lack of merit and diligence. It also described the petitions as frivolous.

Following the favoured tribunal judgment, the APC members and supporters went to the streets of Akure, the state capital, to celebrate, but the PDP candidate said their jubilation indicated that they had a pre-knowledge of the verdict.

Reacting to the claim, the Ondo APC demanded an unreserved apology to the judiciary and to the thousands of voters who participated in the election.

The party, in a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Steve Otaloro, said the allegation that members of the party had pre-knowledge of the judgement was “an unfortunate comment that serves as an unwarranted assault on the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.”

The PDP candidate, in a statement he issued on Tuesday, said the party was still reviewing the judgment but expressing suspicion over it.

Agboola said, “Due cognisance and rapt attention has been accorded to the kernel on which the honourable 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.

Thus to say the very least, we feel disappointed that we didn’t get justice at that level, but we remain undeterred and undiscouraged in our search to ensure that justice is not only served in this matter but also ensure that honesty begins to prevail in our election process.

“Therefore we restate our conclusion to vitiate our rights and desires towards advancing our commitment to the legal process by appealing the judgment of the tribunal at the Court of Appeal.

“This we do despite the obvious challenges that the judiciary faces in Nigeria at this particular period.”

He urged party members and supporters not to be weary, adding that justice would reign in the state and nation.

The APC, however, said, “Such insinuations from Ajayi not only undermine the hard work and dedication of the judiciary but also disrespect the democratic process that the electorate engaged in during the recent governorship election.

Thus to say the very least, we feel disappointed that we didn’t get justice at that level, but we remain undeterred and undiscouraged in our search to ensure that justice is not only served in this matter but also ensure that honesty begins to prevail in our election process.

“Therefore we restate our conclusion to vitiate our rights and desires towards advancing our commitment to the legal process by appealing the judgment of the tribunal at the Court of Appeal.

“This we do despite the obvious challenges that the judiciary faces in Nigeria at this particular period.”

He urged party members and supporters not to be weary, adding that justice would reign in the state and nation.

The APC, however, said, “Such insinuations from Ajayi not only undermine the hard work and dedication of the judiciary but also disrespect the democratic process that the electorate engaged in during the recent governorship election.

“We call on the PDP to tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian judiciary and to the thousands of voters who participated in the election, which culminated in an unprecedented and overwhelming victory for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

“It is evident that the PDP’s disappointment stems from their inability to secure a favourable verdict, a result they had hoped would allow them to usurp the mandate given to the APC by the electorate.

“Their claims of judicial challenges are nothing more than a reaction to their electoral loss, revealing a pattern of behaviour where the PDP only praises the judiciary when it aligns with their interests.

“Had the verdict favoured them, they would have undoubtedly lauded the very system they now seek to vilify.”