The Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, has announced the party’s intention to contest the decision of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Akinlade, as conveyed in a statement by his media aide, Adelani Azeez, noted that the petitioners had anticipated the tribunal’s ruling, as it happened on Saturday, and urged party members to remain calm.
Earlier, DAILY POST reported that the tribunal had dismissed the petition filed by Adebutu and the PDP against Governor Dapo Abiodun’s election, citing its lack of merit.
In response to the judgment, Akinlade remarked, “We must find solace in three facts: firstly, the Tribunal is the initial court of appeal; secondly, we have a determined leader, and lastly, time, the ultimate determinant, is on our side.”
He quoted the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo, saying, “It is not how many times a man falls or fails that matters, but his ability to rise each time, learn from his mistakes, and forge ahead.”
While encouraging PDP supporters and the people of Ogun State to view the judgment as a temporary setback, he stated, “From the outset, we foresaw this outcome, given the caliber of individuals we are contending with.”
He recounted past challenges, saying, “In 2022, they threw everything they had at us, removed our candidates and party (PDP) from the INEC list in an attempt to prevent us from participating in the 2023 general elections. They proclaimed that there was no opposition in Ogun State, but we turned to God, fought resolutely, and the courts reinstated us.”
“Moving forward to March 2023, they arrested our members, subjected our leader to blackmail and threats, but we triumphed at the polls.”
“Against all odds and intentions, we overcame the obstacles placed before us and presented a robust case before the election petition tribunal, calling 94 witnesses, including experts, and submitting over 200,000 certified documents as evidence. We consistently maintained that the alleged issue of vote-buying was nothing more than an attempt to distract us, and the tribunal ultimately ruled in our favor on September 30, 2023.”
Regarding the appeal process, he added, “As we initiate the process of filing our notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, we assure our devoted supporters and the people of Ogun State that we will persist in our pursuit of justice. We will utilize all available resources to rectify this injustice in the best interest of our beloved state.”
