- His Statement On "Our Mandate Can't Be Hijacked" Is Inciting
An Abuja-based civil society organization, Peace and Justice Initiative (PJI) has chided the governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, over his statement on the yet-to-be-delivered Osun State governorship petition tribunal judgment, describing it as reckless and capable of encouraging citizens to go violent if the judgment does not favor him.
The election tribunal sitting in Osogbo has reserved a date to give its judgment on the petition filed by the former governor of the state, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, challenging the declaration of Adeleke as the winner of the July 16 governorship election held in the state.
However, during a campaign rally of Osun Central Senatorial District this Tuesday, Adeleke was quoted to have said he would not allow anybody to, through the backdoors, hijack the will of the Osun People as was done in 2018.
According to Governor Adeleke, "Yes, we are aware that Oyetola and his gang are looking for all possible means to buy their way... The people of Osun have spoken on July 16th, 2022. Nothing can change what they have stamped with their votes."
Reacting to Adeleke's remarks, Comrade Fidelis Anosike who signed a press statement on behalf of Peace and Justice Initiative warned the Osun governor to always weigh his statements because they might have a far-reaching implications for the peaceful co-existence in the state.
According to Anosike, "The governor's outburst is undemocratic. It is uncharitable and unfortunate. It is unfortunate to note that a governor who swore to uphold the sanctity of Nigeria's Constitution is often found criticizing the judgment of the apex court in the land. Adeleke, for God's sake, in 2018/2019 explored all the litigation opportunities availed him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and he was found to have been defeated by Governor Oyetola. This is a fact. Whatever reservation is held by the new governor or members of his political party is a mere opinion that should not be expressed to the public. Saying the judgment of 2019 that affirmed the election of Oyetola was purchased is most unpatriotic and should not have come from a state governor."
Anosike went further, "The governor is not right to have said 'the people of Osun have spoken on July 16 and nothing can change it.' The statement is heavy and tends to achieve sinister motives when the ruling of the tribunal does not go his way. The election has different stages to it. The first stage is Voter Registration. The second stage is Balloting, which was done on July 16, 2022, in Osun State; while the third stage, which is the last one, is Petition Tribunal/Litigation. It is the Litigation aspect of the exercise an aggrieved party in the election, Oyetola, is exploring and it is within his constitutional rights to do so. And until the case is dispensed off at the Tribunal, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, no one can say with the tone of finality that the election is complete or that people have spoken."
Anosike advised the state government should conduct itself in a more dignifying way in this period when people's fears are already stretched to the limit.
"Governor Adeleke should move from his petty partisanship to a more statesmanly pedestal which befits his new status. He should prove his critics wrong that he is not only a man of the people, but he is a man of peace. Therefore, he must do everything to dispel the rumor that he is an encourager of thuggery, violence, and brigandage in the state. The APC allegations that Adeleke's Government and party are equipping hoodlums from neighboring states with guns and other dangerous weapons to unleash mayhem on the state and members of the opposition party when the upcoming tribunal decision does not favor the governing party are weighty. The Governor should understand his office and person may be called to question if the state goes up in flame, " Anosike concluded.
Post a Comment