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The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Oyo State has submitted a petition against the PDP governorship candidate, Mr Seyi Makinde to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state.
The APC in the petition accused Makinde of “breach of electoral laws” for releasing a video in the early hours of Sunday where, according to the APC, he “pointedly proclaimed himself winner of the governorship election in Oyo state when INEC, the authorised umpire, has not concluded same nor declared any such results.”
The petition signed by the APC state secretary, Mr Mojeed Olaoya said Makinde by the action is clearly inciting the citizenry against an eventual credible outcome of the elections.
The PDP has however dismissed the petition, saying the 45 seconds video had never led to any form of violence as been claimed by the ruling party.
The petition reads in parts “We wish to bring to your attention the release of a video by the PDP Gubernatorial candidate in Oyo state, Engr Seyi Makinde in the early hours of Sunday, March 10, 2019.
“In the video, Engineer Seyi Makinde proclaimed himself winner of the governorship elections in Oyo State when INEC, the authorised umpire has not concluded same nor declared any such results.
“In the said video broadcast to the citizenry of Oyo state and the whole world, Mr Makinde proclaimed and declared himself as the winner of the yet to be concluded elections, thus already inciting the populace against the popular will of the people, as may be eventually declared by INEC when the final results are released.
“This is a most unconscionable act and an attempt to blackmail INEC and lawful authorities against the popular will that may be expressed in the final INEC results. Mr Makinde by his illegal broadcast has by this proclamation rendered himself liable to being prosecuted by your office for this electoral offence tantamount to a flagrant abuse of the electoral laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and INEC guidelines for elections and possibly for treason against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“By the unconscionable broadcast by Mr Seyi Makinde, he is clearly inciting the citizenry against an eventual credible outcome of the elections who h may be contrary to his selfishly proclaimed victory, when he lacks the lawful authority and vires to do so.
“We are by this petition formally demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr Seyi Makinde for this grave offence. We trust you will act urgently and timeously to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the state.”
Reacting, the Director General, Omi Tuntun Campaign Organisation, (Makinde’s campaign team), Prince Dotun Oyelade said the PDP candidate only did what any peace loving, law abiding candidate would do to ward off violence in his domain.
He challenged the APC to look for another excuse.
He said: “In the first place there was no break down of law and order traceable to the 45 seconds video by our candidate. The violence that ensued was directly linked to the complainants, in this case, the APC.
“Our candidate did what any peace loving, law abiding candidate will do to ward off violence from his domain
“The governor elect said that his people have spoken and that their voices have been loud and clear. What is offensive in that. Let them look for another ridiculous excuse.”
Makinde, from the Local Government results declared so far, is clearly in the lead.