Tribunal: We look forward to beginning of proceedings, Lagos PDP tells judiciary
The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is looking forward to commencement of proceedings at State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
The Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Hakeem Amode, in a statement on Friday in Lagos, commended Nigerians for their perseverance and endurance.
Amode said, “We wish to state that our party looks forward to the commencement of proceedings at the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal based on our petition to the tribunal.
“We in the Lagos State PDP believe that after over one month of the submission of the petition and after both the APC and Labour have submitted its responses and we have also responded to their responses, then the matter should begin in earnest.
“While we are not trying to interfere with the activities of the court, we believe that time is of essence and that the earlier the issues are resolved the better as democracy appears to be on trial in the cosmopolitan state.
“Our party is ever ready to provide quality leadership for the people of the state compared to the current situation.”
He said that the PDP Governorship candidate in the March 18 gubernatorial election Dr Abdul-Azeez OAdediran (JANDOR), and the party had submitted a petition before tribunal.
He said that both the candidate and the party were calling for the disqualification of the APC and the Labour Party candidates in the election for non-compliance with the constitution of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2022.
“In the petition marked EPT/LAG/GOV/01/2023 dated 7th April 2023, the petitioners; Dr Adediran and the PDP are challenging the outcome of the March 18 governorship election on grounds of substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Law as well as the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the 1st respondent, Mr Sanwo-Olu Babajide Olusola, his Deputy Governorship candidate, Dr. Hamzat Kadri Obafemi, the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Arch. Rhodes-Vivour Gbadebo Patrick and the Labour Party respectively are the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th respondents
“Besides non-compliance with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, Dr Adediran and PDP in their petition are claiming that at the time of the governorship election held on March 18, 2023, Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, and Rhodes-Vivour were not qualified to contest the election and therefore prayed that all votes cast for them in the election be declared wasted.
“The facts of the petition bother on four grounds of non-compliance warranting disqualification of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat declared as the winner of the election by INEC, as well as another four grounds of non-compliance warranting disqualification of Arch. Rhodes-Vivour who was declared to have scored the second-highest number of votes in the election.”
According to him, the party has much belief in the judiciary and knows that all the issues raised will be painstakingly considered “so that the people of Lagos State would enjoy a new lease of life”.
Stating that Nigerians and by extension, residents of the state had going through economic difficulties, Amode said that the party believed hope was way for the residents of the state.
“We are not discouraged by the results of the last general elections; both at the federal and the state levels, as we believe that the right thing would soon be done, especially as our party is in courts to challenge the results of the elections.
“As a party, the PDP will continue to serve the interest of residents of Lagos State and we are prepared to liberate our people from the shackles of the APC in the state,” he said.
Amode noted that narratives that PDP destroyed Nigeria was a ruse considering the suffering in the country eight years after PDP was voted out.
He said that PDP governors had been perform creditably well in various state.
“We can all see what the PDP is doing in Osun State, where Governor Ademola Adeleke has . making waves since he took over the mantle of leadership in the state.
“Apart from regular payment of salaries and implementation of people-oriented programmes, Gov. Adeleke prevented the resident doctors in Osun State from joining the warning strike embarked upon by their colleagues all over the country by approving their allowances and all payments that other states are yet to approve.
“We hope to replicate things like this in Lagos State under our party.
“The PDP looks forward to taking over the leadership of Lagos State very soon so that the residents of the state can start enjoying true governance.
“Time has indeed come for Lagosians to benefit from the wealth of their state and have a feel of true democracy under a PDP-led government,” he said.
