Lagos PDP accuses APC of influencing tribunal’s decision

The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the decision of the state governorship election tribunal to uphold the victory of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in the April 11, 2015 polls.

The three-man tribunal, on Wednesday, July 1, dismissed the petition filed by PDP candidate, Jimi Agbaje against Ambode.

The Lagos PDP however alleged, in reaction, that the decision must have been influenced by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ambode’s party.

This was contained in a statement released by Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani.

It reads:

“The governorship election tribunal that sat at Ikeja had today (Wednesday) struck out the petition filed by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje. The three-man panel tribunal described the petition as worthless because it did not contain a relief for re-run election.”

“We are very jolted and embarrassed that our petition can die prematurely without it being heard on the merit. We think there is a miscarriage of justice here.”

“They (APC) must have influenced this step knowing well that governor Ambode’s nomination is invalid and not qualified to be a valid candidate for the election. They robbed us at the ballots. They want to do same at the tribunal. We will pursue this mandate even with the last drop of our blood.”

The tribunal had dismissed the petition after agreeing with Ambode’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun that it was incompetent.