The People’s Democratic Party Governorship Candidate in Lagos State, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, in an interview with ARISE NEWS, has said the outcome of the governorship election that held in March 18 was not a surprise to him.
Jandor, who is seeking the disqualification of Sanwo-Olu and Rhodes-Vivour in the election for non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s guidelines, said the All Progressives Congress, being his former party, is known for impunity.
“I wasn’t caught by surprise with everything that has played out. All the things that I tendered before the court now, challenging the election of these people are things that I’ve kept since last year. Of course, I knew this was going to happen. I’m coming from APC and our second name there is impunity. We can get away with murder and do things as if there is no law. So, the moment they had their primaries last year, I got all the documents I needed. I kept it with me, preparing for a day like this.” He said
He also said the candidate of the labour party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour was and is not still a candidate of the labour party and hence, does not also stand a chance.
“Same with labour party. For instance, what we took to court was that labour party candidate was not even a member of labour party. He is still a member of PDP. He didn’t resign and we have presented before the court, register of labor party, submitted by labour party to INEC.
“First one was submitted in April 2022 to INEC, second one was submitted in May 2022, third one was submitted in May 2023, updated with a letter saying that they have updated the membership from May last year to April this year and his name is not in any of these. We have presented this before the court. That has gone in contrary to the provisions of the law which says you must be a member of the political party.
“You know, after the first election when people were saying labour and PDP should come together, I was there and I have no problem whatsoever in us coming together. But I said in doing that, we must put our first foot forward. we must present a candidacy that has no issues. So, till tomorrow, nobody has questioned my qualification to run or my candidacy.” He said
Jandor also said following the provisions of the law, he is confident he will get justice and be declared winner at the end of the tribunal.
He said “There is nothing controverting everything that we have presented before the tribunal and we are relying strongly on the provision of the law, especially section 136, subsection 2 of the electoral act which says where the tribunal or court nullifies an election of a person who has the highest number of votes on the base that he was not qualified prior to contest that election, the second person with the second highest number of votes will be declared the winner provided that such a person is also a member of his political party and also satisfy the provision of the electoral act, otherwise, the next person takes it and this is where we are on that.
“So, if they are going to look at everything and this section comes to play, then the two votes are wasted votes because prior they were not qualified. The law doesn’t deal with emotions.”
He also emphasized that his deputy, Funke Akindele is still very much with involved and with him on the case.
Chioma Kalu
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