Supreme court’s split judgement on Ondo guber poll vindicated us, says PDP

July 28, 2021 8:38 pm

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it has been vindicated by the split judgement of the supreme court in the suit challenging the victory of Rotimi Akeredolu in the Ondo governorship election.

On Wednesday, four out of the seven-member panel voted to uphold Akeredolu’s victory in the 2020 election.

They dismissed the appeal by Eyitayo Jegede and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on the grounds that it was incompetent.

Three other justices disagreed with the judgement, insisting that Akeredolu’s candidacy in the election is a nullity.

Reacting to the verdict, PDP, in a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, its spokesperson, said the split judgement shows there is merit in its appeal against the “flawed nomination” of Akeredolu.

The opposition party said the judgement did not address the action of Mala Buni, governor of Yobe state, who is functioning as the caretaker chairman of APC, which according to PDP is against the provision of section 183 of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

“The party notes that the majority judgement as presented by the Supreme Court did not address the impunity in the action of the Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni, in functioning as the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the statement reads.

“While at the same time holding office as a sitting governor, contrary to the provisions of section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the constitution of the APC.

“The fact that three justices out of the seven-man panel upheld our position on the illegality of Akeredolu’s nomination confirms that his candidacy as cancerous and a brazen violation of the 1999 constitution (as amended) as well as the constitution of the APC.

“While our party restates its utmost respect for the institution of the judiciary, especially the Supreme court, the PDP had expected the apex court to stand up as the conscience of our nation by halting the absurdities and impunities being entrench in the political firmament by the APC.”