Ize-Iyamu: Challenging the election of Gov. Obaseki

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in Edo September, 2016 gubernatorial election has described has described Friday’s judgment of Edo State gubernatorial election as porous.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu lost his bid to overturn the victory of the All Progressives candidate, APC in the election as the Tribunal said there was no merit in his petition alleging that the conduct of the September 28 election was fraught with irregularities and corrupt practices in a unanimous judgment read by the Chairman of the three-man Tribunal, Justice Ahmed Badamasi

However, addressing PDP elders, leaders and supporters at his campaign office after the judgment, Ize-Iyamu who was not present at the tribunal described the judgment as unacceptable and one that cannot stand at the higher court.

He said, “From the snippets I heard of the tribunal judgment it cannot stand in the higher courts. This case must be pursued up to the Supreme Court.”

He however expressed gratitude to all who had been present at the tribunal venue while it lasted, without any form of compensation, just as he assured them that the journey ahead will be shorter.

“I want to thank God that we have all been able to reach this part of the journey. What gladdens my heart is that God will vindicate us in the long run.

“Don’t be dismayed. We are still hoping for your support. I urge you all to be calm and refrain from being provoked into violence. Even if they push you, laugh,” Ize-Iyamu said.

On his part the state chairman of the PDP in the State, Chief Dan Orbih, confirmed that the party would challenge the decision of the tribunal at the appellate court.

“I want to tell you that we have just started the journey as a party. I have no doubt that we are fighting a just cause. Definitely we are going to appeal against the judgment. We reject the judgment of the tribunal; it is not acceptable to us.
“We have told our lawyers to appeal the judgment. The issues we raised in the petition were not addressed by the tribunal.

“I appeal to Edo people to remain calm but be resolute in our bid to reclaim the mandate given to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu,” Orbih said.

Commending elders, leaders and supporters of the party across the state for their show of solidarity, he said, “The mandate that was freely given to us by Edo people, we have a duty to retrieve it. The party will go on appeal.”

He also commended all Edo people for their support even as he described Pastor Ize-Iyamu as a very good candidate who will definitely become the governor of Edo state in the long run.

Meanwhile, former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has called for the amendment of the Electoral Act, with a view to punishing frivolous petitioners.

Oshiomhole who was present in the court described the petition filed by the PDP and Ize-Iyamu as an abuse of the court process.

He advised that the Electoral Act should be amended such that if a party brings a frivolous case such as that of the PDP and Ize-Iyamu, sufficient cost should be awarded against them to serve as deterrence to others.

He said, “I knew our people will never vote for the PDP and they didn’t vote for the PDP. They thought they could do smuggling through the court.

The judiciary has shown that they have men and women of impeccable character and I’m happy about that.”

On his part, the victorious Governor Godwin Obaseki described his victory at the election petition tribunal on Friday as a victory for the entire Edo people.

The Governor who spoke at the premises of the tribunal said as the father of all, it would spur him to work harder for the people of the state.

“It is a victory for Edo people and it will spur us to work harder for the people of the state,” Obaseki said.