
By Mumini AbdulKareem
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend rejected the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal that dismissed the suit seeking for the nullification of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s election on the ground that he lacked the academic qualification to run.
The Justice Bassey Effiong led three-man panel, held in a unanimous judgment in Ilorin, the state capital, that PDP failed in its discharge of the burden of proof expected of them and held that evidences presented by the West African Examination Council (WAEC), which the petitioners had relied upon and subpoenaed.
But the PDP reacting to the ruling at the weekend described it as travesty of justice and called upon its supporters to maintain calm over the development.
According to the chairman of the party, Engr Kola Shittu, the judgment was surprising and shocking, considering the critical evidence presented before the court, adding that the party would await the briefing from its legal team to determine next line of action.
“Our party has received news of (the) ruling of the Kwara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which we believe is a travesty of justice. We view the judgment as surprising and shocking, considering the critical evidence presented before the court.
“We, however, await briefing from our legal team after they must have carefully studied the judgment. Thereafter, the party and our governorship candidate, Abdulrazaq Atunwa will take a position and communicate same to the public.
“Meanwhile, we urge our members and supporters to remain calm and not to despair over the judgment, as we strongly believe that justice will be served at the end of the day. Falsehood can and must not be allowed to prevail over justice”, the statement added.