By Mercy James, Abeokuta
The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the people's Democratic Party PDP in Ogun State, Hon. Abdul-kabir Adekunle Akinlade, on Saturday challenge All Progressive Congress (APC) to come out to defend themselves as the petitioners has provided enough evidence to prove their case before the Ogun State Governorship election petition tribunal.
Akinlade said this, while reacting to a statement credited to the Publicity Secretary of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the State, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye that Adebutu’s petition would fail like that of Akinlade in 2019, said APC should not mock the 2023 petitioners based on what happened with the petition he filed against the ruling party in 2019 when he contested under the platform of the Allied People’s Movement (APM).
Oladunjoye had labelled the People's Democratic Party (PDP) petition, its evidence and reports as “wishy-washy”, saying the evidence PDP members were gloating about and the witnesses were procured, influenced and paid by the same party and its candidate.
But, Akinlade in a statement made available to journalists by his media aide, Azeez Adelani in Abeokuta, described the ongoing petition as well planned, adding that it was an unfolding strategic election petition process by the Ogun State PDP.
Akinlade said, “Unfortunately for them, while the 2019 gubernatorial election petition was anchored on the personality of the 2nd Respondent and the APC because of political intrigues at the time, the PDP’s petition this time around is well thought through, planned and being executed diligently,” he said.
The former lawmaker stated that he and his supporters learnt a lot from the 2019 experience, hence “the reason why the leader of the team, Hon. Ladi Adebutu drafted clear-minded and dedicated individuals to oversee the PDP petition, including the legal team.”
He said: “My attention was drawn to some posts online yesterday where the APC was mocking us for the outcome of the 2019 governorship election and petition, but what they fail to realize in their narrow-mindedness is that we learnt and shared our experience”.
“The outcome of this 2023 election petition will definitely become a yardstick of how election petition documents should be sourced, packaged and presented.”
According to Akinlade, PDP stakeholders in Ogun were committed and dedicated to the sourcing and gathering of relevant INEC election materials without thinking of any pecuniary gains, stating that was not the case among APC stakeholders in Ogun who “were deceptively collecting money for the procurement of relevant INEC election materials.”
He concluded by saying, “As INEC opens its defence on the 2nd of August 2023, to be followed by APC and 2nd Respondent who both have 10 days each, the good people of Ogun State and the nation are anxiously waiting to see the magic they plan to perform.
“It is true that to defend an allegation of electoral malpractice, you should at least be able to produce facts or alternative evidence to support your arguments.
“We have presented more than enough facts before the tribunal. Even the blind can see the evil perpetrated by political thugs on March 18, 2023; but technology has strengthened the electoral process and the tribunal.
“Moreover, the new Electoral Act is clear on what non-compliance entails. Ogun people are waiting.”
Oladunjoye had labelled the People's Democratic Party (PDP) petition, its evidence and reports as “wishy-washy”, saying the evidence PDP members were gloating about and the witnesses were procured, influenced and paid by the same party and its candidate.
But, Akinlade in a statement made available to journalists by his media aide, Azeez Adelani in Abeokuta, described the ongoing petition as well planned, adding that it was an unfolding strategic election petition process by the Ogun State PDP.
Akinlade said, “Unfortunately for them, while the 2019 gubernatorial election petition was anchored on the personality of the 2nd Respondent and the APC because of political intrigues at the time, the PDP’s petition this time around is well thought through, planned and being executed diligently,” he said.
The former lawmaker stated that he and his supporters learnt a lot from the 2019 experience, hence “the reason why the leader of the team, Hon. Ladi Adebutu drafted clear-minded and dedicated individuals to oversee the PDP petition, including the legal team.”
He said: “My attention was drawn to some posts online yesterday where the APC was mocking us for the outcome of the 2019 governorship election and petition, but what they fail to realize in their narrow-mindedness is that we learnt and shared our experience”.
“The outcome of this 2023 election petition will definitely become a yardstick of how election petition documents should be sourced, packaged and presented.”
According to Akinlade, PDP stakeholders in Ogun were committed and dedicated to the sourcing and gathering of relevant INEC election materials without thinking of any pecuniary gains, stating that was not the case among APC stakeholders in Ogun who “were deceptively collecting money for the procurement of relevant INEC election materials.”
He concluded by saying, “As INEC opens its defence on the 2nd of August 2023, to be followed by APC and 2nd Respondent who both have 10 days each, the good people of Ogun State and the nation are anxiously waiting to see the magic they plan to perform.
“It is true that to defend an allegation of electoral malpractice, you should at least be able to produce facts or alternative evidence to support your arguments.
“We have presented more than enough facts before the tribunal. Even the blind can see the evil perpetrated by political thugs on March 18, 2023; but technology has strengthened the electoral process and the tribunal.
“Moreover, the new Electoral Act is clear on what non-compliance entails. Ogun people are waiting.”
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