Ekiti Election: Abuja Group Wants Ex-PDP Secretary Arrested, Prosecuted For Perjury

Abuja based Non-Governmental Organisation; the Society for Rule of Law in Nigeria (SRLN) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Mr Temitope Aluko for depositing to false affidavit and giving false evidence at the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National Co-ordinator, Dr Chima Ubeku, the SRLN said it was miffed that someone like Mr Aluko, who by himself confessed to have committed perjury was still being allowed to move around freely.

Recall that Mr Aluko was before the Election Petition Tribunal on November 12th, 2014 where he testified on oath that the June 21st, 2014 Ekiti State Governorship election was free, fair, credible and transparent.

He also said that security agents, including soldiers performed their duties without harassing anyone.

It was based on his statement on oath and the evidence he gave when he testified at the tribunal that the court ruled that the police and military were not necessary parties in the election petition and the judgment was upheld by both the Appeal and Supreme courts.

Throughout the period that the matter was before the courts – lower tribunal, appeal court and Supreme Court, Mr Aluko, in various newspaper publications maintained his position that the election was free, fair, credible and transparent.

If nine months after the Supreme Court, which is the final bus stop on governorship election matters gave its final verdict on disputes arising from the Ekiti governorship election, Mr Aluko is now going about, singing a different song, it behoves on the police to arrest and get him prosecuted for perjury.

To make this matter more interesting, Mr Aluko confessed with his own mouth that he was releasing what he called secrets of how the Ekiti election was rigged because Governor Ayo Fayose did not fulfil his promise of appointing him Chief of Staff.

It is our opinion that if this clear case of perjury is ignored by the President Mohammadu Buhari-led federal government because Mr Aluko is now on the side of the APC, dangerous precedence that can consume our democracy is being set.

It is therefore our demand that the Inspector General of Police should order the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr Aluko. In the absence of this, the Ekiti State Government, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice should invoke its power to prosecute him forthwith.