APC IN EDO CLUTCHING AT STRAWS TO KEEP MANDATE - Avoids Court Notice From PDP, Claims APC Secretariat is Sold Off

APC IN EDO CLUTCHING AT STRAWS TO KEEP MANDATE - Avoids Court Notice From PDP, Claims APC Secretariat is Sold Off

The Edo State APC has taken to childish antics to avoid the court notice being served it by the PDP. Secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been in locks and keys since the day the PDP filed their petition against the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal holding in Benin City.

No human activity has been observed at the APC secretariat at Airport Road in Benin City. Not even the security personnel are available at the secretariat.

Investigations indicate that the APC decided to close her gates and keep Godwin Obaseki, the respondent, in hiding because they panic over the fact that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a watertight petition at the appeal tribunal and they are avoiding service to buy time so that the court may technically extend the seven days given to them to respond.

On the 19th October 2016, Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, formally filed a petition before the Edo State election petitions tribunal in Benin, challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Godwin Obaseki, winner of the September 28 2016 poll. The law provides for 180 days duration for the appeal at this stage.

Before the PDP filed their case, outgoing governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, boasted that he was waiting to meet the PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, at the tribunal.

The APC dismissed the observation, reports and commentary that emanated from the elections, where preponderance of opinions was that the mandate was to PDP and its candidate but brazenly stolen.

Observers and residents of Edo state have started to react to the development which is that the APC is avoiding service of court papers.

According to the Legal Adviser of the PDP, Prof Edoba Omoregie. “We have 180 days to start and conclude tribunal hearing. They are evading service as part of strategies to run down the time. Steps are being taken to serve by other means.”

“For how long will they (APC) continue to hide? Rubbish!” Preston Okojie, an engineer and businessman said.

Consequently the petition was served yesterday by pasting the petition papers on the gate of the APC secretariat.

Justice Badamasi, the chairman of the tribunal who allowed the petitioners to argue the motion ex parte, outside the pre-hearing session of the court, ruled that the petitioners can serve the APC and Mr Obaseki with the petition and all other processes by substituted means.

He said, ” lthe application is hereby granted as prayed”, because, “it falls in line with paragraph 47 first schedule of the Electoral act as amended and Sections 5(6) 5 of the High Court rules”, applicable able to the tribunal.

The petitioners had asked the court for an order to enable them to serve the APC and Mr Godwin Obaseki their petition by substituted means , “to wit by pasting the said petition and all other processes on the wall or door of the last known addresses”, of the the APC and Mr Obaseki.

The petitioners also told the tribunal that the last known addresses are the APC state headquarters along Airport Road, Benin City, Edo state for the APC and No. 8 Commercial Road, GRA, Benin City, Edo state for Mr Obaseki.

They argued that the grounds for their application were that the bailiff of the Honourable tribunal has made several attempts to personally serve the APC and Mr Obaseki, “but all to no avail”, hence they needed the, “leave of the Honourable tribunal is required “for the APC and Mr Obaseki to be served by substituted means.”

Residents in Benin City wondered why the APC which boasted that it was waiting for Ize-Iyamu in court be running away from being served ordinary court papers.

The PDP has filed a petition asking the tribunal to declare Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP as the winner of the September 28th governorship election because, according to a PDP recount of the votes, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu still scored the highest votes cast at the election, notwithstanding the money inducement of the APC on the field on election day

The APC Edo State says it cannot receive the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal petition notice that the PDP “purportedly” posted at the APC secretariat at Airport Road, Benin City because, according to the APC, the known APC secretariat has been sold and no longer belongs to the ruling party in Edo State.

Speaking on ITV in a telephone chat interview, the APC State publicity Secretary, Mr. Godwin Erhahon said that “the APC Secretariat building has been sold”

Many residents of Edo state have started to ask why did APC suddenly sell off her property only when the PDP served them tribunal papers?

According to a popular Facebook commentator, Faith Iguodala Okoro, she said “Let us assume without conceding that the APC actually sold off her secretariat. Now,  which address did they move their party secretariat to now in Benin City, or have they also sold off their party? “

Many residents of Edo state and political observers believe that the APC are using every trick in the book to buy more time to prepare a defence at the tribunal.

The question is “Why are they afraid? So Oshiomhole the tortoise is also afraid after he boasted and deceived the gullible that he was waiting for Ize-Iyamu? Let them respond now. I am convinced that the PDP will emerge victorious and Oshiomhole and hi gang will be vanquished from Edo.” Faith Iguodala Okoro, a social media activist stated.