The candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2020 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, on Wednesday, has accepted defeat, congratulating the winner of the contest, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, after the decision of the Supreme Court.
Jegede in a statement, while reacting to the Supreme Court judgement, said the outcome of the judgement should not deter good and well-meaning individuals from aspiring for leadership in the state and country.
Jegede in the statement personally signed by him who expressed his belief in the judiciary said “with this outcome, our respect and reverence for the judiciary and our justices of the supreme court has not diminished.”
He said, “Now that we have explored the grievance procedure permitted by the constitution and the law, it is time to give glory to God.
“We thank specially our legal team, under the leadership of Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, for their commitment, industry and dedication to our cause. Over and above all, we thank them for their sacrifice.
“We are thankful to the people of Ondo State for their steadfastness, we were in this for service and for the collective interest of the majority of our people.
“The outcome of today’s judgement should not deter good and well-meaning individuals from aspiring for leadership in our State and in our country.
“For all our people who have stood strong, we salute you.”
Jegede also commended the leadership and governors of PDP for their support, saying “for our governors who provided the required leadership and kept faith with our aspiration, gratitude, history will judge you right.”
“With this outcome, our respect and reverence for the judiciary and our justices of the supreme court has not diminished.
However, the PDP in the state said the judgment of the Supreme Court has shown that the nation’s democracy is on trial but accepted the verdict of the Supreme Court being the Apex Court in the land.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Kennedy Peretei, who said the party had fought a good fight.
Peretei said in the statement that “In their considered opinions, all the Justices agreed that, Mai Mala Buni violated the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) but four of them in their majority decision dismissed our Appeal because Buni was not joined in the petition.
“Three other Justices in their minority judgement held that joining Buni was unnecessary because the Constitution which is the grund norm of our democracy can not be trampled upon with such impunity.
“The implication of this verdict is that the non-joinder of Buni is more fatal to the petition than the infringement on the Constitution.
“Our party wishes to encourage all our party supporters to remain steadfast and be consoled that, we fought a good fight, from the beginning to the end.
“The Supreme Court is the “Guardian Angel” of our Constitution and Democracy. To ensure that nobody tramples upon it without consequence.
“To this end, the Judgement will also go into history as one of the major tests of our democracy which ought to be guided by the rule of law.
“As much as we are not discouraged by this verdict, we shall continue to pursue that which will make life easier for the people of Ondo State.”
Todayng
