Despite the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the victory of Rotimi Akeredolu in the last governorship election in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party said the outcome of the legal battle vindicated it.
The Supreme Court had Wednesday validated Akeredolu’s victory after it dismissed the appeal by the PDP and its candidate in the election, Eyitayo Jegede, on the grounds that it was incompetent.
But PDP while reacting to the ruling, said the split judgment by the Supreme Court showed that there was merit in its appeal against Akeredolu and his party, the All Progressives Congress.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, titled, ‘Ondo: Supreme Court’s Split Judgment Vindicates our Appeal,’ the PDP maintained that “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 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the constitution of the APC.
“It is noteworthy that the judgement did not disagree with our position that Mai Mala Buni as Governor of Yobe State cannot function as National Chairman of a political party and nominate a candidate for election to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“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 entrenched in the political firmament by the APC.
“The quest for a legal pronouncement that will guide the sanctity of our electoral system was the reason the PDP had explored our point of grievance legally to the highest court in the land, in the interest of the nation, and not just because of our candidate, Eyitayo Jegede.
“The PDP however urges our members in Ondo state and Nigerians at large not to allow the development make them lose hope but to remain calm and law-abiding in the general interest of the nation.”