OPINION: OYETOLA’S DISQUALIFICATION IMPLICATIONS FOR APC, TINUBU AND OTHERS

 

OYETOLA’S DISQUALIFICATION

IMPLICATIONS FOR APC, TINUBU AND OTHERS

 

The implications of and precedence set by the landmark judgment disqualifying Governor Adegboyega Oyetola as the candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC in the July 16 governorship election in Osun State may be very dire for the ruling party in the 2023 elections.

 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the candidature of Governor Oyetola and his deputy, Benedict Alabi, on the ground that Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State who submitted their names to INEC violated the provisions of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act 2022

 

While reacting to the judgment on Friday September 30, 2022, a renowned lawyer Dr. Kayode Ajulo expressed fear that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other candidates of the party may face similar fate.

 

He said “It is a plague that could have been avoided if only they took my position on Governor Buni’s chairmanship misadventures serious. But the judgment has vindicated me.”

 

Ajulo, on July 31, 2021, while reacting to the pronouncement of the Supreme Court on the Ondo 2020 election, in which Governor Rotimi Akeredolu escaped being sacked as governor by a whisker, had warned the APC of unforeseen circumstances if Governor Buni continued duites as the then Caretaker Chairman of the party.

The Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni , acting as the Chairman of APC at that period had superintended the primary elections which produced, like Oyetola, Bola Tinubu and other candidates of the ruling party. A lot of hues and cries, and discontent followed the action from political as well as legal circles.

This was unheeded and it looked like the party had gone away with impunity until last Friday’s landmark judgment.

 

Also implicated by the judgment is the fact that if the Supreme Court upholds the decision of the High Court judgement, the current National Executive of the APC led by Adamu Abdulahi, midwifed by Mai Mala Buni may also be swept out.

 

If the Supreme Court upheld the judgment, the party’s presidential candidate Bola Tinubu, and other APC candidates for every elective position will have no business in participating in the 2023 General Election.

 

“Can one put something on nothing and expect it to stand?. Unless some strategic steps are quickly taken, invalidation of the party’s executives and candidates across all levels will be a great disaster for the APC and could mark its total collapse. This development is a stern warning to politicians to henceforth have regards for law and reasoned thoughts.” Dr. Ajulo said.