The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the decision of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oladipupo Adebutu, to challenge the outcome of the March 18 gubernatorial election in the state as a welcome development.

The Star recalls that Adebutu, who came second in the just-concluded poll, filed a petition to challenge the outcome of the election at the Ogun State governorship election petition tribunal in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Thursday, April 6.

Reacting, the Ogun APC, in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, on Saturday, April 8, said: “Now that Mr. Adebutu has seen reason and decided to toe the path of civility and honour as we advised him, we hope that he will desist from his antics of cheap blackmail, sponsored protests, incitements, false claims, and propaganda.

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“We also took cognisance of his claims when he went to file the petition and wish to advise that he should not intimidate/stampede the tribunal with his immoral and unethical boasts as if the Honourable Justices are pliable and/or in his pockets.

“His lawyers should be professional enough to advise him against this ignoble attitude, knowing full well that a case is determined by the relevant laws, facts, and evidence and not based on the fantasies, whims, and caprices of any of the parties, no matter how plausible.

“They have stated their claims. They should expect our response. But suffice it to say that the same Adebutu who said he won the election and should be so declared is in another breath, according to reports in the media, asking the court to disqualify His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, from the rerun if his prayer that election should be held in certain polling units and wards is upheld. So, we ask: Who is really afraid of a contest?

“While we leave our team of lawyers to do justice to the jejune issues raised in the petition, we advise Adebutu to be decorous and conduct himself as a citizen of Ogun State under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, who, by the grace of God and the benevolence of the good people of Ogun State, remains the Governor of our dearly beloved state,” the ruling party stated.

The Star