APC Fires Back at Ajayi Over Tribunal Claim, Demands Apology

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the most recent Ondo State gubernatorial election, Agboola Ajayi, has been asked by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to apologize for his recent assertion that APC members knew the tribunal’s decision in advance, which is why they were rejoicing in the streets of Akure.
On June 4, the tribunal reportedly confirmed Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the APC candidate, had won the poll.
The three-member tribunal, presided over by Justice Benson Ogbu, unanimously dismissed the petitions submitted by Ajayi and other petitioners, citing diligence, ineptitude, and lack of merit as justifications.

The petitions were deemed frivolous by the tribunal.

Although APC members and supporters celebrated in the streets of Akure, the state capital, following the tribunal’s favorable decision, PDP candidate Ajayi said that their festivities implied they were aware of the outcome beforehand.

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His commitment is to appeal the state election petition tribunal’s decision.

In a statement made public on Tuesday, PDP candidate Ajayi said the party is still considering the ruling but stated that it is questionable.

“Due cognisance and rapt attention have been accorded to the kernel on which the honorable justices based their findings and conclusion,” Agboola stated. “In our opinion, this did not allow proper analysis to details of the evidence and exhibits submitted to the tribunal while it sat.”

We are, to put it mildly, upset that justice was not upheld at that level, but we are not deterred in our efforts to see that justice is not just carried out in this case but also that integrity starts to win out in our electoral process.

Thus, we reiterate our determination to undermine our rights and aspirations to strengthen our dedication to the legal system by contesting the tribunal’s ruling in the Court of Appeal.

“This we do in spite of the evident difficulties the Nigerian judiciary is facing at this time.”

He said that justice would rule in the state and the country and advised party members and supporters not to get discouraged.

Inconsideration for the Democratic Process
The Ondo APC, however, quickly responded to Ajayi’s claims by demanding a complete apology to the judiciary and the many voters who cast ballots.

Steve Otaloro, the party’s director of media and publicity, said in a statement that the claim that party members knew about the ruling beforehand was “an unfortunate comment that constitutes an unwarranted attack on the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.”

But according to the APC, Ajayi’s implication not only undermines the judiciary’s diligence and commitment, but it also shows disrespect for the democratic process that the voters used to choose the governor.

We urge the PDP to provide an unconditional apology to the Nigerian judiciary and the thousands of voters who cast ballots in the election, which saw Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa win an unprecedented and resounding victory.

The failure to obtain a favorable ruling, which the PDP had anticipated would enable them to hijack the mandate that the electorate had granted the APC, is clearly the source of their unhappiness.

“The PDP only commends the court when it serves their interests, demonstrating a pattern of behavior. Their claims of legal challenges are nothing more than a response to their electoral defeat.

According to the ruling party, “had the verdict gone their way, they would have surely applauded the very system they now try to demonize.”