The governorship candidate of the Folks’s Democratic Social gathering (PDP) throughout final month’s gubernatorial election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has urged the Nationwide Meeting to amend the electoral act to make sure a clear electoral course of.
Ajayi, who misplaced the election to Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), maintained that the usage of the Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) is susceptible to manipulation, therefore the explanation to reevaluate its utilization forward of future elections.
In line with the PDP standard-bearer, who hinted that the social gathering’s authorized workforce is ready to method the election petition tribunal, a sequence of alarms have been raised over the lack of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) to make sure a reputable ballot.
Whereas addressing newsmen throughout a press briefing over the end result of the election held three weeks in the past, Ajayi, nonetheless, acknowledged that the voters didn’t commerce their minds and votes however pressured that what was witnessed on the ballot was a miscarriage of democracy on the a part of the electoral physique.
He mentioned, “Because the election, our social gathering has shunned making public feedback to permit time for a complete evaluation of the occasions that transpired on election day. After cautious evaluation, now we have come to specific our gratitude to the folks of Ondo State for his or her confidence in us and the maturity they displayed through the elections, regardless of provocations.
“We wish to deal with sure misconceptions and allegations made in opposition to the voters. There have been accusations that our folks bought their votes or have been compromised. Let it’s clear that the need of the folks was not on the market. The unhappiness and disappointment witnessed after the election mirror their discontent with the end result, which, we consider, was a miscarriage of democracy orchestrated by the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC).
“Regardless of our earlier warnings and even authorized motion to make sure neutrality inside INEC, the establishment, sadly, didn’t act impartially. The election outcomes, as declared, don’t mirror the aspirations of the folks of Ondo State. The declaration of Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa because the winner by INEC was met with widespread dissatisfaction, as evident within the sombre temper that adopted.
“Our social gathering has taken the lawful step of submitting a petition on the electoral tribunal. Whereas we’ll chorus from discussing the case intimately, I guarantee you that we stay dedicated to pursuing justice. Our persons are educated, resilient, and decided to see democracy upheld.”
In the meantime, Ajayi expressed confidence within the judiciary, emphasising that the social gathering is optimistic that the tribunal will pretty adjudicate the case, including that the judiciary stays a important establishment in preserving democracy, and urging it to rise to the problem.
“I wish to categorical gratitude to our supporters, each inside and outdoors Ondo State, in addition to our nationwide leaders and allies. Your help has been invaluable.
“Ondo State deserves leaders chosen freely and pretty by the folks. We’re decided to revive the integrity of our democracy and make sure the folks’s mandate is upheld.Thanks, and will God bless Ondo State and Nigeria.
“Concerning the judgement of the Federal Excessive Court docket, the matter was initially filed in Abuja earlier than being transferred to our native jurisdiction. This can be a customary judicial course of. When a choose delivers a ruling, the following step is to find out how you can reply, and we settle for this as a part of the judicial system.
“Whether or not we resolve to enchantment the judgement or not is a choice for our management. Now we have confidence within the judiciary as the ultimate arbiter within the construction of presidency. Regardless of any challenges, we firmly consider within the system and can proceed to have interaction it in a fashion that upholds the values of civility and due course of.”
