PDP Kicks Over Relocation Of Osun Election Petition Tribunal, Calls For Probe

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed dissatisfaction over the relocation of Osun election petition tribunal to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja from Osogbo, the Osun state capital, calling on the National Judicial Council to probe the sudden relocation.

The party alleged that there was a clandestine plan by some” powerful and desperate forces” to manipulate the proceedings and outcome of the tribunal, hence the need for the sudden relocation.

The Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Soji Adagunodo made this known in a press statement signed and sent to our Correspondent on Sunday, adding that the relocation of the tribunal did not come as a surprise.

He said several statements credited to prominent members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, coupled with their body language corroborated the recent development, saying there was strong indication that judiciary could be compromised to the advantage of the ruling APC.

“It should be recalled that the new panel was constituted in a very controversial manner by the President of the Court of Appeal, whose family affinity with the All Progressive Congress has been an issue of concern to Nigerians who had wondered why the initial panel was disbanded without any justifiable reason.

“We believe that the decision to relocate the tribunal sitting to Abuja was also without any justifiable reason because there had been no reports on any security breach neither had there been any other cogent factor that could have necessitated the action.

“It is indeed probable that those who took the decision without consultation with counsels of the petitioners did so partly to prevent the good people of Osun State from observing the proceedings of the tribunal and also to make it easier for the Federal authorities to influence its outcome”, the statement said.

The party further charged members of the tribunal to conscientiously uphold the tenets of rule of law and fair hearing to ensure justice and never being allowed to be manipulated.

It also advised members of the tribunal to be conscious of the power and passion of court of public opinion and their stewardship to God.

“On our part as a party, we will continue to invite the attention of the National Judicial Council, leaders of thought and the international community to the happenings in Osun State and explain what these portend for the 2019 general elections in Nigeria and the stability of the country as a whole.

“We are hopeful that the concerned persons and authorities will act speedily on this matter and restore the hope of the common man in Osun State in the judicial process as an aftermath of the last governorship election. “