The petition alleges election rigging in the last Ifo State Constituency one election, which saw a significant victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Rt Hon Olakunle Oluomo, with a margin of 950 votes.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the special assistant on media to the speaker AbdulGhaffar Adeleye, on Wednesday.
The statement reads :
RE: 'Ogun Assembly Speaker jittery as petitioner exposes over-voting'
OUR POSITION :
Our attention has been drawn to a publication in some online media by some unscrupulous agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where these disgruntled elements have displayed neivity, falsehood and a complete misunderstanding of the entire judicial procedures
In his usual matured and civilised style, the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon (Prince) Olakunle Taiwo Oluomo does not talk about issues that are subjudice but for unlimited messages and calls from his political associates and teeming supporters, we decided to clear the air and put the records straight.
The PDP and its candidate in the last Ifo state constituency one election, Okikiola Ogundele had petitioned the tribunal over the result of the election that was fairly and evidently won by the APC's candidate, Rt Hon Olakunle Oluomo by a whopping 950 votes. The Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) is the first respondent, Prince Oluomo as second respondent while the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the third respondent
The petitioner had called their witnesses and it was the turn of the APC to call its witness. Rt Hon Oluomo decided to appear by himself as the only witness and he did so on thursday, 24th July, 2013 before the 3-man tribunal sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, the state capital.
During cross examination, the petitioner's counsel asked questions from the Speaker about conflicting figures on the document produced and provided by the PDP (Petitioner). Counsels to other respondents were opposed to this, citing relevant portions of the Witness Act.
The judge ruled that the witness (Mr Speaker) could not answer questions from documents not authored by him but the petitioner's counsel maintained that there were exemptions to those portions quoted by his colleagues. When asked to provide the exemptions, he ended up beating about the Bush. This infuriated the tribunal and asked him to proceed to other questions without the use of his documents. He couldnt continue but turned the entire process to a "comedy of sort"
Firstly, there was no time the Speaker became dumbfounded during cross examination. How would you expect him to talk when the presiding judge or any of the. Counsels were talking ?
Secondly, the Speaker confirmed that he was not and could not have been in all units in his Constituency hence, he got his results from his party agents who were statutorily expected to collect results of various units.
Thirdly, there was no way the Speaker would have been in the court with all party agents who worked during the election. When asked by the petitioner's counsel , he simply said they are still alive and in their various homes. He could produce them upon request
Fourthly, the documental evidence in question are the ones presented by the petitioner (PDP). How could he be cross-examined with a document he did not author?
Fiftly, it is tantamount to contempt of the judicial process for the PDP to go to press with a report claiming that "it was further established that the speaker did not win the election, rather the result was rigged for him". This is another sue-able statement but we dont want to further add to their grief and sorrow especially as we are not oblivious that they are still in stupor as a result of the overwhelming success recorded by the APC in the last election despite their financial commitments and over-voting recorded in their candidate's unit which led to a rerun to confirm our earlier and eventual victory.
Suffice to note that the PDP has not woken up to face the reality of this time for a RENEWED HOPE. Its high time the PDP realised that 2023 elections have been won already. The party should stop chasing shadows by waving at a vehicle that had already passed.
The Speaker of Ogun state House of Assembly is a thorough-bred lawmaker who believes in the judiciary and this faith remains unshakeable as his victory of 950 votes is not a child's play.
Supporters of the APC and admirers of the Rt Hon Speaker should disregard the report in its entirety. It is fake , misleading and should be thrown in the dustbin. It is the usual practice of the PDP since the birth of the party.
The Speaker however appreciates all calls and messages since the frivolous write up had been circulating online. Our victory is sure and shall be further confirmed by the judiciary.
