ILORIN — The battle between the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for political control of Kwara State has taken a new twist.
The state chapter of the APC, yesterday, raised an alarm that it had uncovered a grand plot by the Presidency in collaboration with the PDP to unseat the senator, representing Kwara Central Senatorial district, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at all costs.
In a statement by the party’s Interim Publicity Secretary in the state, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, the APC said: “Information gathered from close associates and a reliable source in the Presidency, is to the effect that, the Presidency is desperately in search of a judge who will be heavily induced to compromise and remove Dr. Saraki from the National Assembly as a senator.”
”Further to this, we learnt that few of those contacted have declined to go with this illegal bidding.”
“The general public would recall that the Abuja division of Appeal Court had upheld the judgement of the federal high court delivered by Justice Ibrahim Auta, which confirmed the election of Senator Bukola Saraki as senator and dismissed the case filed by Alhaji L.A.K. Jimoh.”
”Justice Moshood Adumein ruled that Saraki’s nomination in the 2011 primary election was in total compliance with Section 33 of the Electoral Act.”
“The question now is, what is the Presidency’s interest in the matter before the apex court, if not an act of impunity and lawlessness. Our legal system and jurisprudences are not different – when a case is bad, it is bad. The two lower courts could not have erred.”
”In confirmation of our assertion, no other personality than President Goodluck Jonathan himself gave credence to our evidences when he said, “we will even test our strengths before 2015 elections,” when the said L.A.K. Jimoh and other members of Kwara PDP visited him, Tuesday at Presidential Villa.”
“This was an event openly broadcast to Nigerians by many television stations and reported in many print media.”
”We are aware of efforts by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Muktah to cleanse the judiciary and she should be given all necessary support by all concerned to achieve this feat by not allowing the evil counsel of PDP to stand as perfected.”
All plans to extend acts of impunity within the judiciary should be resisted by all and sundry.”
’’Kwarans have spoken and their decision is final. Any attempt by anyone to remove Senator Saraki through illegal monetary intervention and or judicial influence will not only have grave consequences but also face a widespread repercussion.”
”We call on all lovers of democracy to advise the Presidency and PDP to stop further attempt at undermining our fledging democracy,” the APC added.