The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Ogun East Senatorial Election, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described his victory at the Election Petitions Tribunal, which nullified the election of Prince Buruji Kashamu of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, as “God’s doing, that is marvellous in our eyes”.
The Justice Tobi Ebimowei led election petitions tribunal last Friday in Abeokuta nullified the election of the Ogun East Senatorial District and ordered a rerun election in 110 polling units.
Abiodun had gone to the tribunal to challenge the victory of Kashamu of the PDP, alleging misconduct in the election and prayed that he should be declared the winner of the March 28, 2015 National Assembly election in the state.
Abiodun in a statement described the success of his petition as a victory for the people of the Ogun East Senatorial district.
The Iperu Remo born politician further remarked that his victory at the tribunal not only came at the right time, but also saved the Ogun East people from ridicule.
“Our people knew the social, political, economic, cultural, and even religious position and marks of our senatorial district in Nigeria. They knew the right and befitting candidate they voted for. My victory at the tribunal is therefore, the victory of the people of Ogun East Senatorial District, our party members and coordinators who worked tirelessly.
“My victory, though delayed, came at God’s time, which is the best. It was to serve a purpose. God delayed the victory of Joseph in the Bible for the right time, just as He delayed President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory for the right time.
“Our victory came at the right time, as it was eagerly expected all over the world. It also removed the tag of ridicule and stain, which our opponent’s false emergence placed on the good,morally upright and hard working people of Ogun East Senatorial District,”he said.
He called on his followers not to lower their guards, even as the full text of the judgment is being awaited,urging them to be law abiding.
“While we await the full text of the judgment of the tribunal for careful study by my lawyers for a more elaborate response and legal advice, I want to call on all our party men and women, friends and well wishers, in fact, the general public in Ogun East Senatorial District in particular, and Ogun State in general,not to lower our guards in our just and selfless march to entrench people’s participatory democracy in which the votes of our people must count. We should also continue to be law abiding,” Abiodun said.
The APC candidate commended the tribunal judges for serving the cause of justice and as well expressed gratitude to all and sundry for their unalloyed support throughout and till now, promising not to let them down.
“I must also thank the three-man panel of judges for serving the cause of justice, and, according to the well reported comment of the tribunal Chairman, resisting all attempt to induce and influence the panel. I thank the secretariat, and all judiciary workers and all those who contributed to the work of the tribunal from the beginning to the end of the proceedings.
“Special appreciation to the men and women of the pen profession for their robust coverage of the proceedings at the tribunal.”
Prince Dapo Abiodun likened his opponent’s initial victory as, “temporary triumph of evil over good and falsehood over truth”.
He expressed his staunch belief in justice thus: “in the words of Malcom X,I am for truth, no matter who tells it. I am for justice, no matter who it is for, or against.”
Meanwhile, Kashamu has insisted that he still remains the Senator of the Ogun East Senatorial District,disclosing that,he will be challenging the tribunal verdict at the appellate court.
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