26th August, 2015
Kazeem Ugbodaga
The leadership of the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the Appeal Court’s ruling which upheld the victory of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in the last April governorship election as controversial.
PDP’s Lagos Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani said by this development, the All Progressives Congress, APC and Governor Ambode could only celebrate a controversial legal victory and not a moral victory.
“The Appeal Court justices identified a loophole of technicality in our petition. They agreed, that but for the identified mistake in couching our Petition, the decision would have been different in the circumstance of the Lagos governorship election contest.
“Indeed, the Court of Appeal upheld that the issue of the qualification of Ambode in the governorship election was erroneously dismissed by the Tribunal. This is definitely a confusing judgment.
“The justices have their conscience to contend with if they have done actual justice in the matter. We will meet with our legal team for further advice and we shall consider all consequential options. An appeal to the Supreme Court is not ruled out,” Gani said in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
“In the meantime, we appreciate the people’s support in the period of this hearings. We shall return to our planning room and hopefully consolidate our established electoral victory in subsequent elections. We now know the strength and the weakness APC in Lagos State,” he added.