Ondo Governorship Elections Tribunal on Tuesday declared Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the authentic winner of the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state.
The tribunal sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital struck out the case brought before it by Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, against the victory of Akeredolu for want of Jurisdiction.
The Justice Umar Abubakar three-man panel led by Justice Umar Abubakar ruled that Akeredolu and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, were duly nominated and sponsored by the APC in line with section 177 of the constitution and section 31 of the electoral act.
“Issue raised therein in this petition are settled issue of internal affairs and management of a political party which this Tribunal has no jurisdiction,” the tribunal ruled.
The Tribunal also ruled that it cannot determine whether Mai Bala Buni, the governor of Yobe state, is illegally occupying the seat as Caretaker chairman of the planning committee of the extraordinary convention of the APC, as alleged by the petitioner.
Abubakar said that Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa demonstrated without the benefit of a doubt that they were duly sponsored by a political party.
The tribunal Chairman said the evidence of submission of the names of Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa by Buni, acting at the instance of the party’s NEC was not disputed by the petitioner.
He added that Buni’s membership of the APC was also not disputed by the petitioner.
“Jegede’s case is flawed and hereby dismissed.
“There is also evidence to confirm that the APC as the sponsor, complied with the law in the process for the submission of the names of its Candidates, Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa,” the tribunal affirmed.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Ondo State Chapter and its Candidate Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, at October 10, 2020, Governorship Election, will appeal the judgement of the Ondo Governorship Elections Tribunal delivered virtually today.
Kennedy Peretei, publicity secretary of the party in a statement on Tuesday said:
“It is important to stress that, in its wisdom, the Tribunal admitted that issues raised by the petitioner were sufficient for consideration but Constitutional, which the Tribunal is not in a position to do justice to.
“The interpretation of the Constitution is a role reserved exclusively for the highest Court in the land – the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“The Constitution of every country is the document that regulates actions and behaviour of her citizens.
“Therefore, it is our belief that nobody can flagrantly trample on the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) and escape with the excuse that the Tribunal has no jurisdiction.
“The PDP is convinced that we have a strong case for which we shall be vindicated at the end of the day.
“We wish to appeal to all our party faithful to be steadfast and remain calm in the present circumstance, as we are sure of victory in the long run,” the statement read.
