As the appeal panel on Osun governorship election commences sitting tommorow, Osun Professional Alliance(OPA) has called on panel members to heed the warning against compromised handling of the appeal.
“We congratulate the panel members on their appointment to serve on this delicate case. We urge them to be guided by the stern warning of the President of the Court of Appeal. All members should recall the insistence of the president that justice should be delivered without fear or favour. The Appeal Court President had minced no word when she charged all Tribunal chairmen and panel members to avoid corruption. We are using this medium to repeat the charge now”, the group declared in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Sanusi Adelegan and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.
“We have been following several ongoing litigations about Osun governorship election. We have read thoroughly the judgement of the election Tribunal. We also have a copy of the appeal filed by Governor Gboyega Oyetola. In reality and without fear or favour, there is no doubt that the appeal lacks merit on all counts. We urge panel members to focus on the law and the manifested will of Osun people in the treatment of the Appeal.
“The President of the Appeal Court had warned that any panel member who compromised will have himself/herself to blame. She also warned against yielding to influence peddlers and those hell bent on truncating the wheel of justice. We joined Justice Bulkachuwa to counsel our Lord Justices to reject overtures from forces who are already claiming to have pocketed the panel. Supporters of Governor Oyetola have been boasting all over the state that they have the panel on their side.
“While such may amount to mere ranting and cheap political talk, as a strong stakeholders in the Osun project, we urge our Lord Justices to dispense justice in line with the law and public expectations. The majority judgement of the tribunal is sound in law and public will. The whole world know and attest to the fact that Osun election witnessed violent electoral robbery. This was known and even acknowledged by friends and foes. The majority judgement indeed satisfies the yearning of the law of the land and the expectations of Osun people.
“Any attempt to twist and kill justice already delivered will amount to a betrayal of God and people. Osun rerun election was a sham and a violent robbery. Nullifying it was perfectly in order. The cancellation of some results and eventual declaration of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the election are all in tandem with the constitution, the electoral law, previous judgements and Judicial traditions.
“We urge panel members to uphold the ruling of the lower tribunal. The people of Osun state voted for Senator Adeleke and they are resolute in their determination to retrieve the stolen mandate. Our Lord Justices should be on the side of the people and the constitution”, the statement concluded.
