Tribunal: Osun APC, PDP clash over protests

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has alleged that protests by some people in the state over the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal that sacked the governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, were being sponsored.

The party further said the protests allegedly being sponsored by Adeleke and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, could worsen their case, instead of adding positive value to it at the Appeal Court.

But reacting, the Osun PDP acting chairman, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, said the protest was an indication that the people rejected the verdict of the panel.

Osun APC acting chairman, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, had in statement obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, expressed concern that the PDP chose the option of attacking the judiciary simply because the tribunal judgement did not go its way.

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It further read in part, “I must expressly state here that it is still within the purview of your fundamental human right to approach the Court of Appeal for redress instead of sponsoring violent protests in some towns across the state.

“Based on the Friday’s tribunal judgement, it is absolutely illegal for Adeleke to be talking about any mandate as the authentic election results of the July 16, 2022 governorship election has expressly shown that the PDP candidate has no mandate to flaunt to talk less of claiming any.

“It should be known that the incidence of over-voting, basis upon which Adeleke was purportedly declared the winner by the INEC as established by the tribunal, is nothing but unfair play which if left unturned is capable of setting a very bad precedent for our democracy.”

Adekunle, while reacting to APC claim said the protests was a prove that Osun people rejected the ‘Buga verdict.’

“The demonstration of support for Governor Adeleke was spontaneous and direct revolt against attempt to steal a popular mandate. Our people trooped out and said No to that Kangaroo judgement.

“Nobody celebrated the evil ruling. Across towns and villages, Osun people voluntarily rejected a bunch of electoral armed robbers.

“So we expect APC to be angry. They are unhappy because they lack popular support,” Adekunle said.