By Adeleye Kunle
Hashim Abioye, Secretary of the Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Legal Committee, has reacted to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alleged plan to challenge Ademola Adeleke’s victory.
Kunle Adegoke, a member of Gboyega Oyetola’s legal team, previously stated that the governor would hire fifty lawyers to challenge the victory of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Adeleke.
Hashim Abioye, in an interview with Track News, stated that indications that the APC would want to go to the tribunal and bring several lawyers to challenge Adeleke’s victory do not pose a threat to the party.
According to Abioye, the APC has the right to hire a large number of lawyers, but it is meaningless.
“The APC has the right to line up as many lawyers as they can,” he said. It is their legal right. According to all indications, they intend to go to the tribunal. In the Electoral Act, there are roles for INEC, political parties, election conduct, and then there are provisions for election petitions.
“It poses no threat at all.” I’ve been involved in numerous election petition cases where you line up as many lawyers as possible. That is completely meaningless. In litigation, there is no place for anyone to hide. You turn over your card and place it face up. We’re expecting them.”
In response, Oladele Oluwabamiji, the Director of Media and Publicity for the Osun PDP, stated that the APC can hire twice as many legal practitioners as they want, but it would be a waste of time.
“If that is the direction they want to go, there is no problem with it,” Oluwabamiji said. It is unusual that if a party is defeated in an election of this type and you are dissatisfied or believe you have grounds for redress, the next step is to go to court.
“I believe that the 50 legal practitioners sought by APC may be insufficient. They could easily double that figure. They might be able to assist them. I’m not a lawyer, but I know it’ll be a waste of time. It was a clear competition with a winner.”
This article first appeared on Track News.
