Guardian

THERE was jubilation across Edo state Friday after news filtered in from Abuja that the Supreme Court had upturned the decision of the Court of Appeal that the Election Petition Tribunal could hear the Adams Oshiomhole’s academic qualification case, which the governor contended was a pre-election matter and not part of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Charles Airhiavbere’s petition.

Speaking to journalists at the government house, the deputy governor, Pius Odubu said, “I said it from the first day that their petition was dead on arrival, talking from an informed point of being a lawyer and one who has prosecuted election petition before.

“What is left with the tribunal is the allegation of corrupt practices and I believe the tribunal will now give the petition a befitting burial. How can you say you want to be governor when you could not win your polling unit, ward and local government?”

Also reacting, the House of Representatives Minority Whip, Samson Osagie, said that the judgment reaffirmed the Edo people’s mandate given to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

To the chairman, Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), Samson Isibor, “It is welcome development. We thank the Supreme Court and we congratulate the governor. The PDP made a mistake by fielding Airhiavbere. We want a performer and not bookwork, our governor is performing.”

In a statement, the Executive Director, African Network for the Environment and Economic Justcie (ANEEJ), Rev David Ugolor said the Supreme Court’s decision “sends a clear message to Nigerians that as we march along in our quest to build a virile nation, charlatans can no longer hide under weaknesses in some of our public systems to aspire to upturn popular wishes and mandates in our electoral system.

“The landmark judgment equally shows that the rule of law provides an enabling environment for the ordinary man to secure justice in Nigeria. The judiciary has, once again, shown to the people that they are not just the defender of the ordinary man, but also the protector of the ordinary man.”

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the PDP have called on the party hierarchy to expel Airhiavbere from the party for bringing the party into disrepute.

The stakeholders at a press briefing yesterday, said Airhiavbere’s decision to contest the result of the gubernatorial election at the tribunal, against the decision of the party hierarchy has damaged the party’s reputation.

The group’s spokesman, Aisulimhen Ighodaro said, “his unilateral decision which was at variance with that of the party at the national and the state levels is not only curious, but also shows that Airhiavbere is not a party man, he holds the PDP in contempt and is on a personal voyage to fulfill his inordinate ambition.

“It is our opinion that Charles Airhiavbere be immediately expelled from our great party, the PDP to serve as a deterrence to others and show to the world that ours is a disciplined party.”