Ladi Adebutu, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 18, election in Ogun state has urged Governor Dapo Abiodun not to rejoice yet over his victory at the Court of Appeal.
Governor Abiodun’s election was affirmed on Friday by the court two months after the state’s election petition tribunal ruled in his favour that he won the keenly contested gubernatorial election.
The judgment was a spilt one by the three-man panel of the appellate court.
Reacting to the judgment, Adebutu said the judgment was a miscarriage of justice, adding that he will reclaim his stolen mandate back at the Supreme Court, which is the final court on the matter.
According to a statement signed by his Media Directorate on Saturday, the PDP candidate said he’s confident of recovering his mandate at the Supreme Court, adding that the appellate court judgment gives him an impetus to be hopeful that the apex court will rule in his favour.
He said, “The appeal judgment that can be described as the pathway to victory resolved unanimously, five out the eight issues in our favour, only one issue in favour of the respondents ( Dapo Abiodun and APC) while the other two issues were resolved in ratio two to one.
“We are indeed glad and hopeful that the judiciary at higher level is gradually considering the merits of the petition, unlike the lower court that chose to address technicalities in place of merit.
“Obviously, that human decision has no place in our rule of law and cannot stand. It is however heartwarming that the appeal court resolved all the issues.”
Adebutu salutes Justice Jane Inyang who delivered the minority judgement, describing her as a reputable judge who based her judgment on the Electiral Act.
Adebutu said further: “We specially want to salute the courage and boldness of Justice Jane Inyang who delivered the minority judgment that was well-detailed and true to the provisions of the rule of law.
“The judgment sacked the incumbent governor, recalled his certificate of return and ordered INEC to organise a rerun within 90 days in the affected 92 polling units where election was cancelled due to violence and election malpractices.
“This reputable judge also said that INEC should not have made a declaration on the March 18 governorship election, a fact that is enshrined in the Electoral Act considering the margin of lead rule.
“We make bold to say that if our courts can emulate the uprightness of Justice Jane Inyang, there will be a great hope for a greater Nigeria and democracy.
“It should be crystal clear to the placeholders in the government of Ogun State that they need not to rejoice over nothing as what they enjoy now is temporal and cannot last because the truth will still prevail.
“We call on all the good people and stakeholders in Ogun State to celebrate Justice Jane Inyang as a role model for true justice and pray for more of such courageous Justices as we move up the ladder. We remain committed to our vision of a brighter future for our beloved state.”
