Osun Govt Accuses PDP of Blackmailing Oyetola, Attempt to Incite Judiciary Against Him

The state Government of Osun has alleged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of making some attempts to incite the judiciary against Governor Gboyega Oyetola through frivolous allegations.

The government stated this just as it refuted the allegation made by the PDP that Governor Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are planning to blackmail the judiciary on the majority judgment of the Osun governorship election petition tribunal.

In a press statement signed by the Supervisor, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa, the government said the PDP was planning to plant hatred in the heart of the judiciary against Governor Oyetola and the APC.

Badeinwa said Governor Oyetola believes in the judiciary and he cannot, through conduct or statement, direct or indirect, blackmail the judiciary.

According to Baderinwa, the government of Osun and APC hoisting it, is not in any way considering protest neither against the judiciary nor against the majority judgment as alleged by the PDP.

He said the greatest protest that could ever happen on the outcome of the tribunal is the dissenting judgment; there is no need for any protest on the street.

Baderinwa said: “We are pleased and we hold on to the greatest protest against the majority judgment of the tribunal, which is the dissenting judgment delivered by the Chairman of the tribunal himself, Justice Muhammad Sirajo which dismissed the petition filed by PDP and its defeated gubernatorial candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke against the popular victory of Governor Oyetola.

“The government and our party hold the strong belief that there is no other protest against the majority judgment of the tribunal than the minority judgment which has immediately corrected the miscarriage of justice in the lead verdict of the tribunal.

“It is a known fact to the Osun PDP that their controversial judicial victory of last Friday does not have any footing, either in law or with the people; and is bound to crash and crumble. The joy and celebration of such are often short-lived, which was what happened to Osun PDP, as they could only rejoice for few hours of one day.”

He added: “Osun PDP were shocked by the fact of the right of appeal legally conferred on Governor Oyetola, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against majority judgment are in severe pain that such window is still up for use.

“Governor Oyetola will surely benefit from the wisdom, discerning mind and dispassionate disposition of the judiciary at the appeal and the supreme courts.

“Because of this fact, Osun PDP is making several attempts through frivolous petition and other means to set Governor Oyetola against the judiciary, an institution that is seen as the last hope of the common man.

“It is frivolous for PDP to alleged Governor Oyetola of attempting to fund protest against the same judiciary where he is seeking redress.

“It is even illogical for the PDP to allege that all local government chairmen and MDAs were being forced to commit between N20m-N30m to fund the projects, when it is a known fact that none of them is buoyant to fund N2m project at present.”