Rosanna Olowu, Lagos.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in the South West Zone under the chairmanship of Dr. Eddy Olafeso, has again condemned the reconstitution of the members of Osun State Election Petition Tribunal, saying that the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, acted to eventually favour the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in Osun 2018 governorship election, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
New Election Petition Panel has been set up to hear the petition filed by the PDP’s candidate in the September 22 poll in Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.
A statement issued in reaction to the announcement of a new panel to hear PDP petition by Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, the Zonal Secretary, PDP South West, reads in parts: “Having sensed waterloo at the constituted Tribunal with persons of impeccable characters, who were prepared for the assignment without any sign of compromise, the ruling APC in its characteristic manner has influenced the so-called reorganisation of the panel.
“To date, no genuine reason has been adduced by Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa for the reorganization that led to the removal of the previous members of Osun State Election Tribunal. It was surprising that neither APC nor anyone whatsoever ever sued or asked for the reorganization or disbandment. The only reason was that new hands were needed to be on the Panel.
“But contrary to this claim, it is on record that at least one of the new members, Justice Adeboye Gbolagunte, has not only been a member of Election Tribunal before, he has also, in actual fact, sat on the same Osun State Election Tribunal in the past.
“The reconstitution of the membership of Osun State Election Tribunal was an afterthought exercise, obviously orchestrated by Madam President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria to favour her APC family.
“The exercise was done when the former constituted panel had started work. It was done a day after the submission of the Petition of Senator Ademola Adeleke and PDP, after three applications have been taken by the same panel.
“The family of Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa, the President of the Court of Appeal who is solely responsible by law, for the appointment of members of Election Tribunal in Nigeria is confirmed, without any iota of doubt, to be members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The husband, Ambassador Adamu Builkachuwa is not only a card bearer of APC but also a staunch and loyal member of the ruling party. He, Ambassador Adamu Builkachuwa, as a matter of fact, is the APC’s 2019 Candidate for Bauchi North Senatorial Zone.
“In the same vein, the 45-year-old son, Aliyu Haidar Abubakar Builkachuwa is not only a card bearer of APC but a staunch, loyal member of the Party and a gubernatorial aspirant in the ruling party.
“Thus, the character of the current members of Osun Election Tribunal, from the public opinion, have been put to question.
“The critical stakeholders of Nigerian Democracy across the globe are hereby implored to wade in the matter to forestall masses revolution if the cause of justice over Osun Election Petition Tribunal is manipulated.”
