The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, on Tuesday, said it would approach the election petition tribunal over the outcome of the governorship election in the state.
The party said it was studying the election result released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday with a view to pursuing justice through appropriate quarters.
It also expressed surprise that members and leaders of the party had been congratulating the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, over the result of the election.
A statement by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Wale Ozogoro, said the party was compiling and collating reports across the state and would go to the tribunal.
The statement read, “The party has noticed misapplication of electoral guidelines in the governorship election. We are, indeed, convinced that justice will be achieved as we intend to seek same at the appropriate time.”
“However, the party is not taken aback by the comments of a few individuals who feel that the party should not seek redress.
“We want to put it on record that seeking justice at appropriate quarters is part of the rule of law, which is the bedrock of democratic ethos.
“We therefore, want to avail ourselves of every available option under the law to seek justice and rekindle the hope and aspiration of all Ondo people that democracy built on fairness, equity, and justice can truly be achieved.”
The party, however, urged its supporters to remain resolutely determined and keep faith with it and Chief Olusola Oke, saying it hoped to get justice through the court.
ACN Weighing their options
In a statement yesterday, the Director of Media, Publicity and Strategy for the Akeredolu Campaign Organisation (ACO), Idowu Ajanaku, said “the ACN has given a great show in the election with a remarkable improvement on her previous performances in elections in Ondo State while the lot of the LP has dwindled as a result of the rejection of Mimiko by majority of the voters.
“It is clear that in contrast with the performance of Mimiko in 2007 in which he was declared winner in 2009 by the Court of Appeal, where he polled 198,261 which represent 55 per cent of the votes cast, his 260,199 votes represents only 41.7 per cent of the total 624,659 vote cast, reflecting a proportional decline, meaning that the opposition got majority of the votes.”
According to the ACN, “on the declaration of the election results, the Akure city wore a mourning look until their supporters had to be forced out for some sort of celebration as against the spontaneous celebration of 2009 after Mimiko’s mandate was restored. This speaks volume on the authenticity of the victory which we believe when tested will reveal what sort it is made of, whether it is of sand or solid rock.”
The party said it gave a good showing in all the local councils “in spite of the massive rigging, intimidation of supporters in the party’s strongholds, cancellation of results in Idanre, Ipele and Okitipupa among others.”
The ACN said: “We are poised to put the LP government on its toes from day one, pending the outcome of the meeting of the leadership of our great party to decide on the next line of action on the massive irregularities experienced in the conduct of the October 20 elections.”
