Why We Didn’t Join Buni In Our Petition — Jegede SAN

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last year’s
governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede, has said Caretaker Committee
chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Mai Mala
Buni was not joined as a respondent in his petition because of the
immunity he (Buni) enjoys.

Jegede said the tribunal should have struck out the petition at
the first hearing if Buni were to be part of the suit.

Speaking at a meeting with PDP leaders at the party’s
secretariat in Akure, Jegede said Nigeria laws forbid Governors to
be sued because of the immunity they enjoy.

He said: “Election matters have laws that govern them, Governor
Buni could not have been a respondent. In fact, if we had joined
him, our case would have been struck out on the very first day.

“But the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and its
verdict is final on all matters. I appeal to you to continue to
have respect and place hope on our judiciary. Only God is perfect
in all things.”

Jegede urged Ondo PDP leaders and members to give themselves a
pat on the back for fighting a good cause aimed at strengthening
and deepening the country’s democratic institutions.

He said posterity would not fail to place him on the right side
of history.

His words: “You know they said we don’t have a case. They said
we jettisoned our 400 witnesses to pursue what is not. But today we
have been vindicated by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court.

“The court agreed with us that there was an actual breach of the
Constitution. The judgement has sent jitters into the spines of APC
and today cabinet ministers are shouting themselves hoarse over the
implication of the judgement.

“We have fought a good fight and posterity will not fail to
place us on the right side of history.

“We must respect our laws at all times even if heaven will fall.
And of course, heaven will not even fall if we all take it upon
ourselves to obey our own laws, no matter whose ox is gored.”

Ondo PDP leaders, who spoke at the meeting, promised never to
let Jegede down on all occasions.

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in last year’s
governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede, has said Caretaker Committee
chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Mai Mala
Buni was not joined as a respondent in his petition because of the
immunity he (Buni) enjoys.

Jegede said the tribunal should have struck out the petition at
the first hearing if Buni were to be part of the suit.

Speaking at a meeting with PDP leaders at the party’s
secretariat in Akure, Jegede said Nigeria laws forbid Governors to
be sued because of the immunity they enjoy.

He said: “Election matters have laws that govern them, Governor
Buni could not have been a respondent. In fact, if we had joined
him, our case would have been struck out on the very first day.

“But the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and its
verdict is final on all matters. I appeal to you to continue to
have respect and place hope on our judiciary. Only God is perfect
in all things.”

Jegede urged Ondo PDP leaders and members to give themselves a
pat on the back for fighting a good cause aimed at strengthening
and deepening the country’s democratic institutions.

He said posterity would not fail to place him on the right side
of history.

His words: “You know they said we don’t have a case. They said
we jettisoned our 400 witnesses to pursue what is not. But today we
have been vindicated by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court.

“The court agreed with us that there was an actual breach of the
Constitution. The judgement has sent jitters into the spines of APC
and today cabinet ministers are shouting themselves hoarse over the
implication of the judgement.

“We have fought a good fight and posterity will not fail to
place us on the right side of history.

“We must respect our laws at all times even if heaven will fall.
And of course, heaven will not even fall if we all take it upon
ourselves to obey our own laws, no matter whose ox is gored.”

Ondo PDP leaders, who spoke at the meeting, promised never to
let Jegede down on all occasions.