The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ogun State has applauded the decision of the Governorship Election appeal Tribunal, which upheld the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun and dismissed the appeal submitted by Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In response to claims made by Adebutu and his legal team that the tribunal’s decision was based on technicalities, IPAC chairman in Ogun State Samson Okusanya said the rulings were founded on fairness and objectivity on the subject of law. Okusanya was speaking at a press conference in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
“We find their arguments empty and blind,” Okusanya remarked in reference to their assertion that they were mystified by the Tribunal’s concentration on procedural details and word interpretation semantics rather than the content and essential facts of the case.
“Ladi Adebutu and his team of Attorneys ought to have known that law and facts are not based on technicalities, but rather on fairness and objectivity of the legal process, which stipulates that the petitioner ought to have front-loaded certain information in the petition,” the court ruled.
He who accuses must prove it, the IPAC chairman said, adding that it was evident from the tribunal’s ruling that Adebutu’s petition had numerous procedural errors.
“The subsequent dismissal of the substantive suits is therefore right in the eyes of the Law,” the IPAC chief claimed.
In the statement, Okusanya praised the tribunal judges “for treating the petitions on their merits and with analytical minds,” adding the decision was a turning point and a benchmark, even as he urged other political parties to support Abiodun.
IPAC also urged Adebutu to abandon his intention to file a lawsuit with the appellate court.
The PDP and its candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, ought to be aware by this point that Ogun State is not a good that can be bought. We want him to stop living as a wanted man overseas and come back to Nigeria’s Ogun State right away so that we may work together to develop our beloved state.
As a result, the statement continued, “We congratulate Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, on his victory on Saturday and urge him to continue to show strong leadership in Ogun State and to stay committed to reforming the State.
