Oyo: Makinde Claims Victory, Warns APC

The executive governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde has directed security agencies in the state to beef up security around the state after the Court of Appeal judgment on Saturday.

Makinde has also urged the people of the state to remain calm over suggestions in some quarters that some supporters of APC governorship candidate, Adebayo Adelabu are planning to cause mayhem in the state.

Recall that the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, the state’s capital on Friday affirming Makinde as the dully elected governor of the state.

The court based its decision on the failure of the APC and its candidate to file its petition within the 90 period stipulated by the Electoral Act.

But the opposition APC, had after the judgment claimed that the verdict was in its favor, even though its candidate, a former deputy governor of the CBN was not declared winner.

The APC said it will further challenge the verdict at the apex court for a better interpretation.

According to a statement released by the state’s APC chapter, the party stated that it was poised to reclaim the mandate given to its candidate during this year’s governorship election.

But the party’s supporters, who somehow misinterpreted the verdict, the magazine learned are planning to cause chaos in the state, even though the party is still trying to put everything together for its challenge at the Supreme Court.

Lauding the judgment delivered on Monday, the APC said the verdict has confirmed its position that Makinde was wrongly declared winner of the keenly contested election.

“The verdict given on Monday was unambiguous, apt and sound enough to convince any informed mind about the genuineness of our claim that Makinde’s declaration as the winner of the March 9 poll was done by INEC in error.

The results announced were ridiculously inflated and there is no way such conspiracy could stand the test of proper scrutiny as this was just confirmed by the Appellate Court.

“While we use this opportunity to salute the court for living up to its responsibility as the last hope of the common man, we are appealing to the good people of the state including Oyo APC faithful and other key stakeholders to remain calm and resist from being provoked by the PDP government and its agents who are apparently occupying the Agodi Government House on a borrowed time,” The party said in a statement.

“Obviously, the next line of action is for us as a party and our gubernatorial hopeful to approach the Supreme Court for perfection of the landmark verdict delivered by the Court of Appeal today.

The APC said it’s not yet over for the party “By the special Grace of God, we shall obtain favorable judgment from the Apex Court as only this would lend credence to the fact Nigeria’s democratic practice is premised on free and fair elections as well as the rule of law,” the party stated.

Makinde on his part said the mandate given to him by the people of the state on Match 9 this year remained intact and that his government will continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

But his response to suggestions that some hoodlums are planning to foment trouble is firm.

Governor Makinde warns the troublemakers to think twice because anyone apprehended for breaching the peace of the state will be severely punished.