Oyo ANPP: PDP is planning to influence tribunal’s ruling - It is a lie - Oyo govt

By Adeolu Adeyemo - 08.01.2008

The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Oyo State on Monday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of planning to influence the judgment of the state election petition tribunal.

The ANPP, in a statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji Razaq Folorunso, and Secretary, Mr. Sola Osotoye, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Monday, frowned at the development which it described as undemocratic and called on the people of the state to always be at alert to discourage what could cripple the progress of the state.

The release, which said some chieftains of the PDP had been trying to bribe the members of the tribunal, warned them to desist from the act.

According to the party, all the moves by the PDP were being monitored. “Some chieftains of the PDP have been trailing members of the tribunal within and outside the country to bribe them and making moves to pervert the course of justice in its on-going petition to challenge victory of the state governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, before the election petition tribunal.

In its reaction, the state government said there was no iota of truth in the allegation, saying that the ANPP was out to cause confusion in the state.

The Special Adviser on Public Communication to the governor, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who stated this, said that none of the PDP members tried to bribe any tribunal member as alleged.

He pointed out that “by accusing the PDP of bribery, the ANPP has prepared the minds of the people for their imminent defeat because its allegation was baseless.