As the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan reserved judgement in Osun State governorship election petition, many are wondering whether the state will also go the way of Ekiti.
At the resumed hearing Monday before the appealate tribunal, counsel on both sides adopted their written submissions while the court fixed judgement for a later date.
Counsel to Action Congress of Nigeria ACN candidate, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola asked the court to nullify results of the 2007 governorship election in 10 local governments and declared his client winner of the poll having scored lawful majority votes in the remaining 20 local governments which constitute two-third required by law.
However, counsel to Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola insisted that his client victory should be upheld as Aregbesola could not prove his case.
Before the court of appeal sitting in Ilorin declared Governor Kayode Fayemi winner of Ekiti State governorship poll, some observers were of the opinion that Dr. Fayemi should have concentrated his energy and resources on the 2011 race rather than pursuing the appeal.
His eventual victory had however vindicated him on the genuiness of his case. It was Fayemi’s victory that has given fillip to Aregbesola and his lawyers. The two cases shared some similarities. At the tribunal of first instance, both cases were dismissed and they proceeded on appeal.
In Ekiti, the Appeal Court ordered re-run election in 10 local governments comprising of 63 wards. In Osun however, the Appeal Court ordered fresh trial of the case because the trial tribunal failed to consider some vital pieces of evidence. Another major similarity is that the two cases went before the tribunal of first instance and Court of Appeal the second time.
It is not known where the pendulum of justice will swing in the Osun case that has witnessed a lot of under currents. Allegations and counter allegations have been traded by parties to the case.
That was why the members of the appeal panel that sat in Ibadan Monday was unknown until they sitting day. They were drawn from different parts of the country in order to guarantee the sanctity of their judgement whenever it is delivered.
The preliminary issues in the appeal were handled by other judges before now.
With Lagos and Ekiti in its kitty, ACN is confident that Osun may follow suit.
The development has been creating some worries in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the South West. As it lost Ondo to Labour Party and recently Ekiti to ACN, the ranks of PDP leaders in the zone are disturbed that Osun may also slipped off.
The unresolved internal crisis in the South West PDP is tearing apart the its soul amid deep concerns of possible implosion.
The crises are more pronounced in Ogun, Osun and Oyo States. Stakeholders blame the loss of Ekiti on the situation such that the ouster of former governor Segun Oni was regarded as big blow because it was in similar circumstance the party lost former Ondo State governor, Dr Segun Agagu.
Of major concern to the party is Osun where party members are polarised over alleged imposition of Senator Iyiola Omisore as party governorship candidate by Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Even the intervention of former president Olusegun Obasanjo had failed to resolve the crises.
Similarly, Ogun, which is seen as the real stronghold of PDP in the South West is also threatened by the festering crisis. According to a source, Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel was said to be disturbed about the development, especially as he and Obasanjo belonged to different camps of the state 2011 governorship candidates.
While Obasanjo had pitched his tent with Brigadier-Gen Tunji Olurin, Governor Daniel is backing Alhaji Gboyega Isiaka
However former All Nigeria Peoples Party governorship candidate, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who is preparing to move to ACN is seen as a major threat to PDP in the state because he may capitalise on the division in the party to clinch the governorship seat in the state.
The source said: “Danger is that if they carry on like this, it may have dire consequences for PDP. There is no doubt that the party is losing ground in Ogun under Obasanjo leadership. The fear is that if it goes into 2011 poll divided, and the opposition does what it has to do, then it is over for PDP”
In Oyo apart from his own people and Obasanjo, Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala was said to be on his own even as opposition is mounting against his second term ambition. “
In Oyo it is dicey for PDP because of internal crisis”, said another source.
“Generally, Obasanjo is seen as the problem of South/West PDP. He is seen to be imposing candidates particularly in Oyo. He is romancing in Ogun and people are angry over this.
For me, the crisis in South/West PDP is irreconcilable and this is a bad omen for the party ahead of 2011” the source added.
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