Strategic execution of ongoing Ogun PDP governorship election petition borne out of 2019 experience — Akinlade

In a bid to grandstand in the face of a well-planned and unfolding strategic election petition process by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State the PDP has alleged that the All Progressive Congress (APC), is going about posting stories of the 2019 Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship petition by Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, the then gubernatorial candidate with the title: “Akinlade APM bombards the tribunal with bags of documents.”

According to a statement by the media aide to Akinlade, Azeez Adelani, a copy of which was made available to journalists on Saturday, the APC insinuated that the over 200,000 documented evidence presented and admitted by the tribunal in evidence will amount to nothing.

“Unfortunately for them, while the 2019 gubernatorial election petition was anchored on the personality of the 2nd Respondent and the APC because of political intrigues at the time, the PDP’s petition this time around is well thought through, planned and being executed diligently.” The statement read.

Akinlade further stated that himself and his supporters learnt a lot from that experience thus, the reason why the leader of the team, Hon. Ladi Adebutu drafted clear-minded and dedicated individuals to oversee the PDP petition, including the legal team.

In his words: “My attention was drawn to some posts online yesterday where the APC were mocking us for the outcome of the 2019 governorship election and petition, but what they fail to realise in their narrow mindedness is that we learnt and shared our experience.

“Regardless of the outcome of this election petition (in favour of PDP, Insha Allah), it will definitely become a yardstick of how election petition documents should be sourced, procured, packaged and presented.

“As INEC open its defence on the 2nd of August 2023, to be followed by APC and 2nd Respondent who both have 10 days each, the good people of Ogun State and the nation are anxiously waiting to see the magic they plan to perform.

“It is true that to defend an allegation of electoral malpractice, you should at least be able to produce facts or alternative evidence to support your arguments.

“We have presented more than enough facts before the tribunal. Even the blind can see the evil perpetrated on March 18th, 2023, but technology has strengthened the electoral process and the tribunal. Moreover, the new electoral act is clear on what noncompliance entails. Ogun people are waiting,” Akinlade concluded.”