₦airaland Forum

THE two-year-old legal battle for the seat of Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, finally came to joyful end at the Supreme Court penultimate week with the apex court ruling in favour of the governor.

OLUSEGUN Abrahams had gone to court to challenge Akeredolu’s candidacy shortly after the governorship primaries on September 3, 2016. The move was anchored on his rejection of the outcome of the primary from which Akeredolu emerged as the governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC ) party saying the election was fraught with irregularities.



IN a unanimous verdict, the court threw out the case on the grounds that it was statute barred and was lacking in competence. The apex court noted that while the law required the plaintiff, Dr. Olusegun Abrahams, to file his case within 14 days after the party’s primary, he only did so after 28 days.

OF course, Abraham did that which is expected of a civilised and robust politician by approaching the court for help because he was aggrieved by the way Akeredolu emerged as APC’s governorship candidate.

OBVIOUSLY the legal tussle involving two stalwarts of APC in the state may be a contributory factor to the party’s poor outing in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. Contrary to the predictions of bookmakers, the party lost Ondo State to the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in the presidential election and also lost two of the senatorial seats that were up for grabs.

IT would have been a mystery if the party had gone into the titanic electoral battles as a divided house and returned without the scars and bruises it now carries. But now that the apex court has delivered its judgment, it is in the interest of the state and the party that Akeredolu and Abrahams bury their hatchets for good in the interest of the state and their party, APC.



CONVINCINGLY and prior to judgment day, the governor had displayed an amazing amount of maturity, stoically refusing to be dragged into any controversy concerning the case. The most he said upon being prodded in the matter was to tell the enquirer that it was in court. We want to commend the duo for exhibiting a high sense of restraint and maturity while the case lasted in court.

GOVERNOR Akeredolu, described his victory in the two-year legal battle as one for the entire progressive family of the Sunshine State, including Abraham, his challenger, expressing his appreciation to the people of the state and the APC for standing by him and his government while the legal tussle lasted.The victory no doubt, is for all Nigerians who believe in the rule of law and democracy,” he said. He added that there was no victor or vanquished in the matter. “The victory is for everyone who wants the best for Ondo State, and Segun Abraham is one of us. In other words, we are all winners,” he added.

NOW that the legal tussle is over, it is our opinion that the governor can now settle down and concentrate on policies that will further promote and enhance the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo state.



THE yarning of party faithful is the urgent constitution of boards and parastatals to show appreciation to diligent party members.

PAUCITY of funds should not be an excuse. This is the time to compensate party members who have toiled for the party in power.

A formidable machinery for comprehensive reconciliation should be set up immediately without further delay, to place the party on a new chart while followers of the leaders should desist forthwith, from fanning the embers of disunity.

THE HOPE believes that the judgement would strengthen the peace and unity in the party as everybody would be willing to come and work together to move the party forward and make the Sunshine state a place of pride. It is therefore necessary for all stakeholders to put behind them and look forward for a virile political party .

adebayoabiola:
THE two-year-old legal battle for the seat of Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, finally came to joyful end at the Supreme Court penultimate week with the apex court ruling in favour of the governor.

Indispensable85 I told you it is possible for a case to be dragged beyond the constitutionally stipulated time but you were arguing it.

Its almost impossible to upturn an election case at the supreme Court since 2015. Same way wike lost at tribunal and appeal only to win at SC , now akeredolu too

ChristianNorth:
Indispensable85 I told you it is possible for a case to be dragged beyond the constitutionally stipulated time but you were arguing it.

My guy ,you're the one who misunderstood me.
My argument was purely on the duration of election cases in the tribunal, which is the court of first instance for election matters.
That is the 180 days I'm talking about for governorship particularly.

Indispensable85:
My guy ,you're the one who misunderstood me.
My argument was purely on the duration of election cases in the tribunal, which is the court of first instance for election matters.
That is the 180 days I'm talking about for governorship particularly.

You are still making that same mistake, when a case is too complex to be settled within the constitutionally stipulated time, it could be dragged beyond that limitation. What is most important is JUSTICE.

our judiciary is a disgrace. For Two years they have been on one case

ChristianNorth:
You are still making that same mistake, when a case is too complex to be settled within the constitutionally stipulated time, it could be dragged beyond that limitation. What is most important is JUSTICE.

That's your own opinion.