The Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed dissatisfaction over the relocation of
Osun election petition tribunal to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from
Osogbo, the Osun state capital, calling on the National Judicial Council to
probe the sudden relocation.
The party
alleged that there was a clandestine plan by some” powerful and desperate
forces” to manipulate the proceedings and outcome of the tribunal, hence the need
for the sudden relocation.
The Chairman
of the party in the state, Hon. Soji Adagunodo made this known in a press
statement signed and sent to Daily Post on Sunday, adding that the relocation
of the tribunal did not come as a surprise.
`He said
several statements credited to prominent members of the All Progressives
Congress, APC, coupled with their body language corroborated the recent development,
saying there was strong indication that judiciary could be compromised to the
advantage of the ruling APC.
“It should
be recalled that the new panel was constituted in a very controversial manner
by the President of the Court of Appeal, whose family affinity with the All
Progressive Congress has been an issue of concern to Nigerians who had wondered
why the initial panel was disbanded without any justifiable reason.
“We believe
that the decision to relocate the tribunal sitting to Abuja was also without
any justifiable reason because there had been no reports on any security breach
neither had there been any other cogent factor that could have necessitated the
action.
“It is
indeed probable that those who took the decision without consultation with
counsels of the petitioners did so partly to prevent the good people of Osun
State from observing the proceedings of the tribunal and also to make it easier
for the Federal authorities to influence its outcome”, the statement said.
The party
further charged members of the tribunal to conscientiously uphold the tenets of
rule of law and fair hearing to ensure justice and never being allowed to be
manipulated.
It also
advised members of the tribunal to be conscious of the power and passion of
court of public opinion and their stewardship to God.
“On our part
as a party, we will continue to invite the attention of the National Judicial
Council, leaders of thought and the international community to the happenings
in Osun State and explain what these portend for the 2019 general elections in
Nigeria and the stability of the country as a whole.
“We are
hopeful that the concerned persons and authorities will act speedily on this matter
and restore the hope of the common man in Osun State in the judicial process as
an aftermath of the last governorship election. “
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