THE two-year-old legal battle for the seat of Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, finally came to joyful end at the Supreme Court penultimate week with the apex court ruling in favour of the governor.

OLUSEGUN Abrahams had gone to court to challenge Akeredolu’s candidacy shortly after the governorship primaries on September 3, 2016. The move was anchored on his rejection of the outcome of the primary from which Akeredolu emerged as the governorship candidate of All Progressive Congressive (APC ) party saying the election was fraught with irregularities.

IN a unanimous verdict, the court threw out the case on the grounds that it was statute barred and was lacking in competence. The apex court noted that while the law required the plaintiff, Dr. Olusegun Abrahams, to file his case within 14 days after the party’s primary, he only did so after 28 days.

OF course, Abraham did that which is expected of a civilised and robust politician by approaching the court for help because he was aggrieved by the way Akeredolu emerged as APC’s governorship candidate.

OBVIOUSLY the legal tussle involving two stalwarts of APC in the state may be a contributory factor to the party’s poor outing in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. Contrary to the predictions of bookmakers, the party lost Ondo State to the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in the presidential election and also lost two of the senatorial seats that were up for grabs.

IT would have been a mystery if the party had gone into the titanic electoral battles as a divided house and returned without the scars and bruises it now carries. But now that the apex court has delivered its judgment, it is in the interest of the state and the party that Akeredolu and Abrahams bury their hatchets for good in the interest of the state and their party, APC.


CONVINCINGLY and prior to judgment day, the governor had displayed an amazing amount of maturity, stoically refusing to be dragged into any controversy concerning the case. The most he said upon being prodded in the matter was to tell the enquirer that it was in court. We want to commend the duo for exhibiting a high sense of restraint and maturity while the case lasted in court.

GOVERNOR Akeredolu, described his victory in the two-year legal battle as one for the entire progressive family of the Sunshine State, including Abraham, his challenger, expressing his appreciation to the people of the state and the APC for standing by him and his government while the legal tussle lasted.The victory no doubt, is for all Nigerians who believe in the rule of law and democracy,” he said. He added that there was no victor or vanquished in the matter. “The victory is for everyone who wants the best for Ondo State, and Segun Abraham is one of us. In other words, we are all winners,” he added.

NOW that the legal tussle is over, it is our opinion that the governor can now settle down and concentrate on policies that will further promote and enhance the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo state.

THE yarning of party faithful is the urgent constitution of boards and parastatals to show appreciation to diligent party members.

PAUCITY of funds should not be an excuse. This is the time to compensate party members who have toiled for the party in power.

A formidable machinery for comprehensive reconciliation should be set up immediately without further delay, to place the party on a new chart while followers of the leaders should desist forthwith, from fanning the embers of disunity.

THE HOPE believes that the judgement would strengthen the peace and unity in the party as everybody would be willing to come and work together to move the party forward and make the Sunshine state a place of pride. It is therefore necessary for all stakeholders to put behind them and look forward for a virile political party.

http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Akeredolu-Supreme-Court-Victory

Okay just forget second term

BuhariAdvocate:
Okay just forget second time.

LOL you mean second term? even if he wants to forget it, the people of Ondo State won't allow him to because he's yet to finish the good works he's doing.

BuhariAdvocate:
Okay just forget second time.

Come and remove him na... jatijati

OndoFirstBorn:


LOL you mean second term? even if he wants to forget it, the people of Ondo State won't allow him to because he's yet to finish the good works he's doing.

I'm soo certain that you're not from Ondo state

Which good job we will replace him with another person.

OndoFirstBorn:


LOL you mean second term? even if he wants to forget it, the people of Ondo State won't allow him to because he's yet to finish the good works he's doing.

Tomide007:

I'm soo certain that you're not from Ondo state

How can you be so certain? you need to work on your certainty level. LOL! Let me put it to you that i am typing this from my hometown in Ikare-Akoko in Akoko North-East LG of Ondo State. His good works are apparent here in Ikare. The dualization of the Ikare township road has got his name glued in the lips of the people. They won't stop singing his praise. The hilly Oke-Alabojuto road had been a nightmare for Us. Trailers used to descend from the hilly road and derail into the market down the road. This road had claimed several lives and properties. Until Akeredolu came in and leveled the road. The dualization work is at 95% done. We never expected the road to be attended to in years. Atleast, there were governors before who didn't give a damn about our suffering. This One of the several things he's done for us in the town.

We heard of the textile Mill and several other industries his administration has brought into Ondo State. He's doing all these despite the huge debt he met on assumption of office. His good works in the state are not just getting enough publicity. He's a silent achiever.