Date Published: 05/05/10

Ekiti Dep. Gov hails Tribunal Judgement

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal on Wednesday in his office at Ado Ekiti, the State capital applauded the decision of the Justice Hamma Barka- led Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to uphold the return of Governor Segun Oni in the  supplementary elections held on April 25 and May 5, 2009.

Reacting to the affirmation of Governor Oni as the duly elected governor by the tribunal, having polled the majority of the lawful votes cast in the elections, contrary to the prayers of Dr. Kayode Fayemi of the Action Congress (AC) that the polls be nullified on allegations of irregularities, non-compliance with Electoral Act 2006, among others, Dr Lawal said the five-man tribunal had acted in good conscience.

In a statement by his Senior Executive Assistant (Media), Mr. Joseph Ogunsemi , the Deputy Governor said that “ the judgment reflected the views of the right thinking people of Ekiti State who cast their votes for the right person in the elections”

He said that for four of the five justices to have aligned with the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to return Governor Oni showed that he (Oni) genuinely won the polls in spite of the heavy deployment of thugs to the State by AC money bags in Lagos during the exercise.

“Governor Oni and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been vindicated and I thank Allah for His mercies and guidance. The will of the Almighty Allah will always prevail. What has happened in our State is a lesson for all mortals. No amount of plotting or evil machinations can displace the will and plan of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth”, he said.

Dr. Lawal however appealed to the PDP supporters to collectively and individually expressed their gratitude to God for Oni’s victory in the face of stiff opposition from Lagos money bags and thugs, saying “this is a moment for sober reflections. We had no money and thugs but we had God and we put our hope in Him. He did not disappoint us, hence every glory is to him. Those who put their hope in money, thugs and fetish acts have failed woefully”

He attributed the success and victory of Governor Oni to his faith in God and desire t do good to people, no matter the situation, describing him (Oni) as a God-sent.