By Kayode Adeoti
A foremost lawyer in Kwara State and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Saka Isau has described the judgement of Justice Peter Ige of the Court of Appeal that upheld the 2015 gubernatorial election of the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, as a landmark victory.
The judgement was delivered on Tuesday dismissing an appeal by the 2015 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Simeon Ajibola seeking to sack Ahmed as Governor of the state.
Isau, in a telephone chat with this medium, last night, said justice will always prevail no matter the delay.
“I’m one of the lawyers that handled the matter at the Federal High Court Abuja; Senator Ajibola approached the court that the All Progressive Congress (APC) did not run primaries. In our opinion, we argued that he (Ajibola) is not a member of APC but PDP, so why is he meddling in APC affairs.
“He did not even know whether the primary was held or not. When the judgement did not please him, he appealed and the court held that he is not a member of the party, therefore dismissing his application. Everyone should be happy about the judgement, it is a landmark victory for the state,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, a three-man panel of justices of the appellate court led by Justice Ige had earlier adjourned judgment till Tuesday after it heard arguments from all the parties.
Ige however dismissed Ajibola’s appeal on the basis that it lacks merit. He further awarded N2.5million in favour of 1st and 2nd respondent and N1 million in favour of the 3rd respondent; Independent Electoral Commission (INEC).
Recall that Senator Ajibola, through his counsel Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) had gone before the appellate court to challenge a verdict of the Federal High Court in Abuja which had on April 15, 2016, validated Governor Ahmed’s election.
