The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the immediate
reconstitution of the Osun State governorship election petition tribunal.
In a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola
Ologbondiyan, the opposition party warned that any further delay would
jeopardize the course of justice in the matter.
It noted that the disbanding of the panel, if not quickly addressed, would
send a bad signal on the integrity of the judiciary.
“We invite Nigerians to note that in our lawful effort to reclaim our
stolen mandate, PDP duly filed its petition on Tuesday, October 15, 2018,
in accordance with section 285 (6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)
which prescribed that judgment must be delivered on or before 180 days,”
the PDP said.
It added, “While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was
served, the APC and its candidate [allegedly] evaded service.
“Consequently, the PDP on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, applied for
substituted service, which was slated for hearing today, Thursday, October
18, 2018, only to be informed that the panel has been disbanded on
Wednesday without any reason and without providing a new panel to hear our
matter.”
The party told the President of the Court of Appeal that disbanding the
panel without setting up a new one would be “a deliberate attempt” to
prevent the PDP from serving the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its
candidate, as well as meet the constitutional 180-day time frame for the
determination of the case at the tribunal.
“Election petition matters are sui generis, with specific time frame
allotted to various stages up to the final determination,” it said.
“The failure to set up a new panel to hear our application for substituted
service on APC and its candidate smacks of a shenanigan to deny our party
full justice in the matter.”
The PDP, therefore, urged the President of the Court of Appeal not to bow
to pressure and avoid acts that are capable of dragging the reputation of
the judiciary in the mud.
It also called on concerned individuals and relevant organisations to rise
against any force working against justice in the land.