The Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, have rejected the ruling of the Election Petitions Tribunal which upheld the election of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu described the judgment dismissing his petition as porous and one that cannot stand at the higher courts.
Addressing PDP elders, leaders and party supporters at his campaign office , Pastor Ize-Iyamu described the judgment as unacceptable.
Ize-Iyamu expressed gratitude to his supporters who he said thronged the Tribunal venue without any form of compensation and assured them that the journey ahead would be shorter.
“From the snippets I heard of the tribunal judgement it cannot stand in the higher courts. This case must be pursued up to the Supreme Court.
“I want to thank God that we have all been able to reach this part of the journey. What gladdens my heart is that God will vindicate us in the long run.
“Don’t be dismayed. We are still hoping for your support. I urge you all to be calm and refrain from being provoked into violence. Even if they push you laugh,” Iyamu said.
State chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said the party plans to appeal the tribunal ruling.
“I want to tell you that we have just started the journey as a party. I have no doubt that we are fighting a just cause,” he said and declined to give details on what happened at the tribunal.
Commending elders, leaders and supporters of the party across the state for their show of solidarity Orbih said, “the mandate that was freely given to us by Edo people we have a duty to retrieve it. The party will go on appeal.
“Definitely we are going to appeal against the judgement. We reject the judgement of the tribunal; it is not acceptable to us.
“We have told our lawyers to appeal the judgement. The issues we raised in the petition were not addressed by the tribunal.
“I appeal to Edo people to remain calm but be resolute in our bid to reclaim the mandate given to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.”
Governor Obaseki described the tribunal’s verdict as victory for Edo people and an act that would spur him to do more.
Former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Samson Osagie, congratulated Obaseki and the APC for the tribunal victory.
Osagie urged all party supporters to join hands with the Governor and the party to drive development in the state.
His words, “This victory should serve as cushion to all frail nerves and a catalyst for the administration to embark on the continuation of its well thought out development agenda for Edo State. It’s time to work together in the interest of the State irrespective of political or ideological differences. After all a better Edo State is for the benefit of all.”
Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole described the petition as a busybody petition and mama akara busy body.
His words, “The PDP has no case, Pastor Ize-Iyamu has no case. The reason we have people going to court for no reason is because there is no cost. I think the Electoral Act should be amended that if you bring such frivolous case and didn’t make sufficient efforts to show that you were cheated, you just do out of fun. There should be sufficient cost to applicant who tried to abuse the Court processes.
“This was just as mama akara looking for trouble. In other jurisdiction when you go to court on a non-issue, you pay the cost of litigation and that serve as a deterrent. I know that our people will not vote PDP and they can never vote PDP.
“People can say whatever they say about the judiciary. The judiciary has shown it has men and women of courage and character. This was a a bush body petition and we thank God that justice had been done,” the former governor said.
THE NATION
