The Supreme Court has upheld the victory of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose in the 21st June 2014 election held in the state.
The court upheld Fayose’s victory in the election by dismissing, for lacking merit, an appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the victory and the governor’s eligibility to contest in the election.
According to the seven-man supreme court panel led by Justice John Fabiyi, the impeachment panel constituted against Fayose was in breach of the constitutional requirement.
The court also said if at all impeachment would be considered against the governor, it is not enough to disqualify anyone from participating from an election, except such a person has been arraigned and convicted before a competent court of jurisdiction or Code of Conduct Tribunal. Thus the court held that the governor cannot be guilty of any crime as proscribed by section 182, subsecti ?VFvcvThe court also kicked against the joining of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police as fourth and fifth defendants, respectively on the allegation of the use of the military to intimidate and terrorise APC supporters during the June 2014 governorship election.
As news filtered into the state, residents trooped out of their houses chanting pro-Fayose songs.
Many of the residents, mostly youths, grouped themselves and danced as they headed to the State Government House.
Responding to the ruling and the clarification, counsel to the petitioner, APC said the confusion generated by the interpretation of section 182 of the constitution as to what constitutes a guilty verdict, enough to decide the eligibility of a contestant in an election has been cleared.
APC had asked the court to disqualify Fayose from contesting in the 21st June 2014 governorship election on the grounds of his impeachment on 16th October, 2006. APC had also raised dust over an alleged falsification of academic qualifications and Code of Conduct rules.
However, the Election Petition Tribunal had on 19th December 2014, upheld Fayose’s victory and dismissed the APC’s petition for lack of merit.
Reacting to the Supreme courts ruling, Fayose’s thanked all the people of Ekiti state for their resilience and love for him.
Fayose said: “I am formally dedicating this victory to God and to them.
Having voted for me ten months ago, and confirming the victory by the subsequent elections in the last few weeks, they have shown that they are unequivocal about their choice and their determination to protect and defend that mandate.
“I cannot but appreciate the Apex Court for protecting democracy and also for living to the expectation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who had assured that under his leadership, the judiciary would not subscribe to any plot to change the outcome of elections through the instrumentality of the Court.
“I think the necessary lessons must have been learnt and it is obvious that Nigeria is evolving democratically.
“To my opponents, I plead with you to sheath your sword and join me in the development of Ekiti State. If truly our struggle is about service to our dear State, it is time to come together and channel all our resources towards the development of the State.
“I am irrevocably committed to the protection of all, including the opposition in the State.
“Nobody is infallible, and I am not a perfect being. The only one that is perfect is God, but He, in His infinite mercies has made me the Governor of Ekiti State today.
“I have a term and tenure; there will be another opportunity for Ekiti people to decide who governs them. Rather than trouble the peace of the State, our friends in the opposition parties should accept the will of God concerning our dear State and wait till 2018.
“I thank all stakeholders and I am assuring them that I will leave Ekiti State better than I met it.”
Fayose also thanked the security agencies for being alive to their responsibilities in the whole issue.
Also reacting, The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the Supreme Court’s ruling as a triumph of democracy and the rule of law.
In a statement released on Tuesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh said the ruling not only reafirms the power of the judiciary in democracy, but also shows the it is the last resort of the common man.
“The ruling has given hope to the survival of democracy especially coming at a time when some officials of key institutions of democracy such as INEC and some security personnel have already started compromising their independence apparently under the dictates of an obsessive All Progressives Congress,” Metuh said.
He congratulated Fayose and the people of Ekiti State for their doggedness in the face of daunting challenges from anti-democratic forces.
Metuh urged the governor to be magnanimous in victory while using his mandate to deliver good governance in line with the PDP manifesto and vision of its founding fathers.
He called on everyone in the state, especially those who may not be happy with the ruling, to embrace peace and respect the rule of law.
“In this regard, we warn all anti-democratic forces hiding in the state, especially the outgoing APC lawmakers, against any action intended directly or indirectly to destabilise the state or undermine this democratically elected PDP government under Fayose,” Metuh said.
