Court Of Appeal Verdict On Ondo Guber: Gov Akeredolu Never Met CJN

By Ayodele Oni

There is growing anxiety in Ondo state, as the people await the judgement of the Court of Appeal over the October 10, 2020 Governorship election.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu,SAN, won the election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and this has been ratified by the Election Petition Tribunal.

The Court of Appeal has announced that judgement in the appeal filed by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Mr Eyitayo Jegede,SAN, will be delivered on Wednesday.

However, the current anxiety was prompted by news which filtered into the state on Monday evening that  Akeredolu has secured an appointment with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) over the coming Appeal Judgement.

The questions on the lips of some residents now is why such an appointment at this time and for what purpose?

The state commissioner for information, Mr Donald Ojogo replied in a statement on Monday evening thus:

“Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, is a Minister in the Temple of Justice. He neither desires, seeks nor contemplates such as insinuated above.

“The integrity and Grace in him have remained inexorably covertible, surviving vicissitudes. This particularly puerile attempt cannot escape similar impotence either. It missed its target.

“Governor Akeredolu’s presence in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital was to honour an invitation by the Nigeria Bar Association(NBA) as Special Guest of Honour.

“He had had to connect Uyo through Abuja for the obvious absence of a direct flight from Akure to the Akwa Ibom State capital.

“A chartered private jet which would have eased his movement directly to Uyo has never been found fashionable by the Governor.

“Therefore ,the aim of the above poorly-packaged theatric is to paint a pre-emptive picture of ‘compromise’ after the much awaited judgement of the Appeal Court on Wednesday.

“The venture ignites further, the paucity of ideas and betrays largely, the fruitlessness of efforts hitherto, on the part of those behind it.

“This is a loudly-scripted yet ignorantly acted opera that is perniciously directed by dispirited individuals.

“Notwithstanding, the aim, which is to draw benefits or benevolence from same source that has suffered unrestricted attacks and unrestrained blackmail can only be likened to self-abnegation.

“Such can only be enunciated, sustained and driven by the fluidity of a mindset that desires to keep an unsuspecting crowd in a perpetually jeering waiting box. This is uncanny and ignobly, perfidious.”