Several reactions have trailed the Supreme Court judgement which declared the Dan Orbih-led legacy victorious over Governor Godwin Obaseki-led camp of the Peoples Democratictive party (PDP) in Edo state.
A PDP chieftain in Edo, Osilama Okonfu J. while reacting to the judgement explained that “today’s matter didn’t have a prayer on who the candidates should be or that they should be replaced but rather that the prayer was on jurisdiction on who has the powers to facilitate ad-hoc delegates.
He said, “the supreme court upheld the opinion of the appeal court that the issue is not for the judiciary to determine but for the party internally, therefore the Supreme court ruled that the matter is not justiceable. in plain English, not their jurisdiction the matter was then dismissed. How is this victory for the Obaseki-led people bikonu? they are drinking beer everywhere in wild jubilation. but it’s fine. the local economy needs it.”
According to him, “when the lower court ordered the National Working Committee (NWC) to send the legacy PDP names, under the acting chairman, who was in charge then, and is now, the party obeyed. The names have been published. so how is that not the party carrying out its internal responsibility? or is it until it is ayu that sent the names? the office is not an individual but a role function.
“INEC has followed the 2022 electoral act and acted stating only a court order can reverse it. The supreme court did not give that reversal order on candidates……so what’s the throwing party in government house Osadebe avenue for? wasting taxpayer’s money!
Furthermore, Developmental Economist and politician said for the avoidance of doubts, the legacy PDP candidates remain the authentic candidates as constitutionally recognised. anyone outside them campaigning for elective office under the PDP is an impostor and must face criminal charges on grounds of false pretence! if they believe otherwise let them dare start campaigning!
“The spin being given by the supreme court judgement today is a perpetuation of lies and spins by the Obaseki people on their jaded followers who like robots are programmed to act as wanted. in this case, like zombies!
“Governor Obaseki did not win anything! again he has been left empty-handed. huge resources wasted in a state with gaping infrastructure deficit! the status quo ante remains. legacy PDP members are candidates of the PDP and the NWC has acted accordingly. Information is power. knowledge is for those who want to learn, he concluded.
In the same vein, the Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District Roland Stephen Owie who gave his perspective on the matter said, “Why are the children of Pharaoh rejoicing over the Supreme Court judgement on delegates?”
“The Apex court said it is the domestic affair of the party. The party has already used the delegates of the Legacy to elect its presidential candidate.”
“The party has already sent the names of the Legacy PDP candidates and INEC has published the names.”
He added that, the Appeal court ruling was there when INEC published the names. Nothing has changed.
“The Legacy PDP candidates remain the valid candidates until the Supreme Court says otherwise concerning the candidates and that will be sometime in early February 2023. Know this and have peace, he concluded.