The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the
July 14, 2018 governorship poll in Ekiti, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, has
rejected Thursday’s Court of Appeal ruling which upheld the election of Mr.
Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It would be recalled that the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal, which sat in Abuja, had in a unanimous judgment delivered on January 28, 2019, dismissed the suit filed by Olusola-Eleka.
Dissatisfied with the decision of the tribunal, the PDP candidate approached the appellate court to reverse the decision of the tribunal and declare him winner.
However, delivering its judgment in the suit marked: CA/A/139/2019 on Thursday, March 28, a three-man panel of justices of the court led by Justice Stephen Adah declared that the appeal lacked merit and “it is hereby dismissed and the January 28 judgment of the tribunal is hereby upheld. No order as to cost.”
But Olusola-Eleka said on Friday that he would challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.
He expressed regret at the manner in which the Appeal Court dismissed his appeal, saying “our democracy is endangered.’’
“The judiciary is being gagged and justices are constantly being molested and persecuted,” he said.
He assured his followers, party and the people of Ekiti that his legal team would study the Appeal Court judgment and take necessary actions.
Olusola-Eleka expressed optimism that justice would be served in the end.
He commended the people of the state for the hope and confidence reposed in him, assuring them of victory eventually.
“Let us remain prayerful; it is not over, until it’s over. I have hope in the judiciary and I strongly believe that in the end, justice will be served,” he said.
