The senator representing Osun Central and spokesperson for the ninth Senate, Ajibola Bashiru, has disclosed that he won’t go to court to challenge the outcome of the February 25 National Assembly election where he lost his re-election bid.
Bashiru who spoke in an exclusive interview with Punch, lost his seat to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Olubiyi Fadeyi.
According to the senate spokesperson, the election was neither free nor fair, adding that It recorded cases of voter intimidation and harrasment.
He however said he has chosen to move on an not go to any court, saying being in politics is about service.
“I choose to move on. The election was neither free nor fair. It was one that reported cases of voter intimidation, voter suppression and harassment.
“Ballot boxes were snatched from our strongholds particularly in Ila, Boripe and Orolu Local Government Areas. So, there were a lot of inadequacies in the election, but as a matter of choice, I don’t think going to court is what I want to do.
“For me, being in politics is about service. There are a lot of fault lines in our electoral justice system by which to establish such cases of brutalisation of voters, intimidation of supporters of our party and many more.
“When you report such cases, you will be told to prove it beyond reasonable doubts. That fault line encourages electoral heist. I only hope that the Nigerian law develops to a point that such acts will no longer be the order of the day. There was a re-enactment of brigandage, harassment and voter intimidation even in the House of Assembly election by the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State”.
Credit: Punch online
