By Ayodele Oni
Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly, Biodun Olujinmi, has dispelled rumours that her victory was negotiated at the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal by Governor Kayode Fayemi.
While announcing the suspension of Governor Fayemi from the All Progressives Congress, (APC) last week, a group of aggrieved members had accused him of anti- party activities.
He was alleged to have backed Olujinmi, a People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) member, at the Tribunal against the APC candidate, Prince Dayo Adeyeye.
Adeyeye was first declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in 2018, before the victory was upturned by the Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
Olujinmi, in a statement, described as slanderous, mischievous and malicious, on the part of anybody, to impute that judgement was purchased at the Ekiti Senatorial Tribunal and Appeal.
“My initial reaction was to say I am not a member of their party and to allow them steam in their sauces.
“At no time before, during and after the trial have I met with, or discussed the case with the Governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
“As a committed party person, I saw the allusion to the fact that Fayemi negotiated the judiciary on my behalf as an insult, not only to my integrity, but that of the noble Judges who I never met, but who were fearless in the discharge of justice despite the odds and of course, on the Governor whose preoccupation is only about his party.
“My case against Prince Adeyeye was straight forward. It was on the issue of my stolen mandate bordering on voodoo votes that were added to give him victory.
“It was an issue of sorting real ballots from ‘the rest’, and counting them in the presence of INEC officials, Police, DSS and Lawyers of both parties. In fact, after the recounting of the real votes of two local governments, it was clear that the game was up.
“Prince Adeyeye had a competent team of lawyers who tried all they could but who, in their minds, knew we were proactive and scrutinized every move. He must point out where judgement was purchased because he lost unanimously at the Tribunal and at Appeal.
“It smacks of bad faith, incompetence and ridicule of the judiciary and legal profession. It is a great pity, and I hope the NJC takes note and acts accordingly.
“Prince Adeyeye was riddled with controversy in the PDP. He left and joined the APC, got a waiver and a ticket, immediately; from the Governor to contest the Senatorial seat, only to turn to an adversary within a year. That speaks volume of his person.
“I am not a member of the APC, and will never seek refuge from my enemies. Dr Fayemi is the governor of Ekiti state, and I will accord him his due respect as I had done for others before him. It doesn’t make me a member of his party but a properly raised adult.”
In the Ekiti APC crisis, the anti Fayemi group, had among other alleged anti-party activities, accused Governor Fayemi of backing Senator Olujimi in the Tribunal and Court of Appeal, against Senator Adeyeye, and hosting former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, a PDP chieftain, at the Ekiti Government House.
The APC National body has set up a reconciliation Committee, headed by Kaduna State Governor, Maam Nasir El-Rufai to reconcile both factions.
