Osun Judgement Strikes Final Blow To Election Riggers - ACN

Source: SAINT MUGAGA - thewillnigeria.com
PHOTO: OSUN STATE GOVERNOR ELECT, ENGINEER RAUF AREGBESOLA.
PHOTO: OSUN STATE GOVERNOR ELECT, ENGINEER RAUF AREGBESOLA.

ABUJA, Nov 26, (THEWILL) - The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) today said the judgement of the Court of Appeal on the Osun gubernatorial election has struck a final, deadly blow against election riggers, who must now be consigned into where they belong - the dustbin of history.


In a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said its victory is particularly sweet music for all democrats, who have continued to fight to wrest Nigeria from the deadly cabal of election riggers, who have made Osun state their base.


''Osun, under the grip of the electoral marauders, became a euphemism for election rigging with bravado. Even with a questionable mandate, they carried on as if they were indeed elected by the people of the state. Osun lost more people to the 2007 elections than any other state. Dislodging the marauders, therefore, is a succour of sorts to the families of those who were killed in the process of what will rank among the worst cases of electoral brigandage in our country's history.


''We also recall that the marauders in Osun provided the men and material for the rigging of the gubernatorial re-run in Ekiti.


“At a stage, they even resorted to the use of police helicopter to ferry their generals and their arsenals to Ekiti to further terrorize the people of the state.


''Now, the forces of evil and darkness have finally lost their grip. It is a good opportunity for Nigerians to use the chance presented by next year's general elections to send the marauders cascading down the bottomless pit of shame and oblivion,'' it said.


ACN thanked the judiciary for putting an end to the long-running case on electoral brigandage in Osun, and for once again giving hope to Nigerians who, at times, wondered whether the forces of evil can be defeated, due to their sheer bravado.


''Nigerians should now know that even if a lie travels at the speed of sound for one thousand years, truth will eventually catch up with it. This is a lesson for them never to give up in the pursuit of justice, as long as they believe their cause is just. It is also a great confirmation that our country, Nigeria, is indeed redeemable and can indeed be extricated from the stranglehold of the rapacious cabal of election riggers.


''We know that at a stage during the battle to regain our mandate, many questioned the rationale of expending so much time, energy and resources on what they considered a lost cause. But our victory today has proved that no amount of money is too much to spend in the pursuit of justice,'' the party said.


It also commended the media for keeping the issue on the front burner, long after many have become weary from the antics of the marauders, and to all Nigerians for their moral support.


''In particular we thank our supporters, who waited patiently for this day. They remained unwavering, even after being subjected to the worst form of persecution and provocation. We salute them!,'' ACN said.


The party congratulated the good people of Osun, who will now have the opportunity, like their counterparts in the other states where ACN holds sway, to enjoy the long-awaited dividends of democracy.


EKITI STATE GOVERNOR SALUTES JUDICIARY

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has reacted to the victory of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State at the court of Appeal, Ibadan, Oyo State. In a statement by Wole Olujobi SSA (Speech and Public Communications to the Governor) the Governor said the victory of Governor Aregbesola is a victory for democracy and rule of law.


“It is a victory for tenacity and perseverance of the people of Osun State. Once again, the judiciary has displayed an uncommon courage that it is the rule of law that governs this country and not the rule of men. The judiciary has shown the world again that Nigeria is a country where premium is placed on the rule of law as a principle that governs our conduct and businesses of government. This victory is for all Nigerians who believe in and cherish justice. It is on victory that has implications for the way we conduct ourselves in electoral process in this country. It is also a victory for one man one vote as a pillar of electoral contest.”