••• Abiodun, APC React To Victory At the Tribunal
By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Thunderous Jubilation and joyous victory songs erupted from the court room of Ogun State Magistrate Court sitting in Isabo – Abeokuta, the venue of the Governorship Election Tribunal on Saturday night seconds after the tribunal upheld the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Members and supporters of the All Progress(APC) in their thousands within and outside of the Court room went into jubilation, singing victory songs as they surged into the street spontaneously, all celebrating the victory of Governor Abiodun at the Tribunal.
The tribunal headed by Hamidu Kunaza
after over 11 hours of pouring through the governorship election matters between Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress(APC), affirmed the election victory of Abiodun in the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Ogun State.
The panel affirmed Governor Abiodun’s election as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), submitting that the petitioners had failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
In a unanimous decision by the panel, the court dismissed Adebutu’s decision for “lack of merit” and affirmed the second respondent (Dapo Abiodun) as duly elected Governor as declared by INEC.
Justice Kunaza held that the allegations of corrupt practices, non-compliance with the electoral Act, multiple thumb printing of ballot papers, ballot stuffing, and forgery as alleged by Adebutu and his party were not proved beyond any reasonable doubt and resolved them in favour of the respondents – APC and Dapo Abiodun.
He also described as unreliable, the testimonies of majority of the 94 witnesses – including an expert witness, witnesses who introduced themselves as PDP polling units agents and others that reckoned themselves as registered voters – and all called by the petitioners.
The Tribunal described their statements as “industrially manufactured, mechanically produced and adopted” by them and thereby “proven to be similar, too coincidental and unbelievable.”
On the allegation by the Petitioner that the second respondent(Dapo Abiodun) had a criminal record in the United States of America was resolved in favour of the respondent.
The Tribunal held that the petitioner failed to prove the criminal allegation beyond reasonable doubt by not providing any witness from the United States of America (USA) to testify and substantiate same against the second respondent (Abiodun).
Tribunal noted that it is not persuaded with the allegation that Governor Abiodun was once detained in the United States having discovered that Petitioners did not prove that it was Governor Abiodun’s fingerprints that were on the jail intake document.
The Tribunal also held that the Petitioners did not link the Governor to the name Shawn Michael on the document tendered and the witness who tendered it never even said how he came upon it, after conceding that he had never been to Florida before his testimony
Tribunal submitted that even if the Governor was truly the arrestee in the jail intake document, the Constitution disqualifies a candidate for a conviction within the last 10 years preceding the election but that the incident in the jail intake form occurred in 1986 – 37 years ago and deemed the ground 3 as failed.
On the allegation of vote buying and corrupt practices, the Tribunal held that the allegations were two inseparable twins and intertwined for which the petitioners have failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt.
The court also held that allegation of certificate forgery and arrest and detention of Abiodun in 1986 were pre-election matters, which ought to have been determined 14 days before the March 18 election.
In the court to witness the tribunal verdict proceeding on the side of Governor Dapo Abiodun and All Progressives Congress(APC) include: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola; his counterpart for Ogun Central, Senator Salisu Shuaib, Senator Gbenga Kaka, Minister of State for Environment and Ecological Management, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako; former Speaker of Ogun State Assembly, Hon. Titi Oseni – Gomez, House of Reps member, Hon. Tunji Akinosi, Hon. Motunrayo Adeleye – Oladapo and ex – Woman Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Funmilayo Efuwape.
Also in court on the side of the petitioners are Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu’s running matr; Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, state chairman of the PDP, Alh. Sikirulai Ogundele among others.
…Abiodun Ascribes Victory To Relentless Efforts, Unwavering Dedication Of the Good People Of Ogun State
Meanwhile, Governor Dapo Abiodun has reacted to his Victory at the Tribunal, saying he is humbled by the immense support for him by the people of Ogun State.
Abiodun said the unwavering dedication, support, hard work, and commitment and relentless efforts of the people propelled him and the party to emerge victorious in the crucial legal battle, thereby ensuring that the will of the people of Ogun State prevailed.
He said, “To the Good People of Ogun State, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of you for your unwavering support and loyalty throughout the journey that led to our victory at the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
“It is with immense joy and gratitude that I share this message to express my deepest appreciation for your unwavering dedication, support, hard work, and commitment. Your relentless efforts have propelled us to emerge victorious in this crucial legal battle, thereby ensuring that the will of the people of Ogun State prevails.
“I must acknowledge the significant role that each one of you played in this triumph. Your collective efforts, perseverance, and belief in our cause have contributed to our success. Whether you were a part of our dedicated campaign team, a loyal supporter, or a volunteer who selflessly contributed time and energy, your contribution has been invaluable.
“Your dedication and commitment have played a vital role in securing justice and upholding the democratic process.
I am truly humbled and grateful to have individuals like you standing beside me. Your unwavering faith in our shared vision for a better Ogun State continues to inspire me.
“I am committed to the progress, development, and well-being of all our citizens, and together, we will work tirelessly to achieve these objectives.
“As we celebrate this victory today, let us not forget the significant responsibility that lies ahead. We must remain steadfast and committed to the promises we made to the people. Our focus should now shift towards unity, progress, and inclusive governance that will benefit all residents of Ogun State.
“Once again, please accept my deepest appreciation for your support and commitment. Together, we have proven that when we stand united, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome. Let us continue working together for the betterment of our beloved Ogun State,” he added.
‘Our Victory, A Divine Mandate’ – Ogun APC
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun state has congratulated the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (CON), on the victorious judgment delivered by the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal on Saturday.
The Tribunal, sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, and chaired by Justice H. N. Kunaza, and supported by Justice J B Egele (Member 1) and Justice Sannusi Shehu (Member 2) had dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and its defeated candidate, Ladi Adebutu, on the grounds of incompetence, vagueness and lack of understanding of the usage of the wordings of the Electoral Act, among others; resulting in inability of the petitioners to prove any of the grounds of the petition.
The APC, in a statement by its publicity secretary, Tunde Oladunnoye, quoted the state Chairman of the party, Chief Yemi Sanusi, as describing the victory of the party at the polls and the tribunal as “divine mandate”.
“We went round the 20 local government areas of the state, we went to some local governments twice, we campaigned vigorously in the wards, we showcased what our party and government have done in four years.l and was doing. In most of our campaigns, we commissioned projects and inaugurated new ones which was unprecedented in the electioneering annals of Nigeria. Our people believed in us, trusted us and voted for continuity. We had no doubt about our electoral victory and It was indeed a divine mandate,” Sanusi said.
“We have always known that the PDP is as disorganized as its ramshackle petitions. which the party and its highly incompetent and run away defeated candidate knew or ought to have known cannot succeed. They merely wanted to reap where they did not sow, forgetting that you can’t build something on nothing. The tribunal has rightly done justice and due diligence to their spurious petitions. We only hope that Ladi Adebutu will eat the humble pie and return to Nigeria and face his criminal charges of votes buying and money laundering hanging on his neck at the High Court. We challenge him to be man enough to return to Nigeria,” the APC chairman said.
Sanusi also commended the victorious legal team:
“Our party and Governor assembled the best brains in election tribunal warfare in Nigeria today. There is no election dispute of note that is relied on in this case that at least one of our lawyers is not a part of,” he added.
“Finally, to God be the biggest credit and glory. We appreciate the unusual grace of God upon Prince Dapo Abiodun, to the chagrin of his detractors. Not many have this grace that when you think they are locked in, God opens the roof for them to walk free. Till today, many cannot understand why God chose Dapo Abiodun against all odds, but He did, and there is nothing his detractors could do about it,” Sanusi concluded.
