By Sade Adewale

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has strongly condemned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for what it calls an “unwarranted assault” on the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary following the recent election tribunal verdict.

In a  statement issued by the APC, Director of Media & Publicity, Mr. Steve Otaloro described the PDP’s claims that APC supporters arrived at the tribunal in a celebratory mood suggesting prior knowledge of the verdict as a “clever but misguided strategy” to discredit the judiciary.

Otaloro emphasized that the PDP’s comments did not only undermine the dedication of the judicial system but also disrespected the democratic process that the people of Ondo State had participated in. He argued that the PDP’s allegations were born out of frustration over their inability to secure a favorable outcome, despite their hopes of overturning the APC’s victory at the polls.

The APC spokesperson pointed out that the PDP’s defeat was resounding, with the APC securing victory in all 18 local governments, including the home of their own governorship candidate, Agboola Alfred Ajayi. Otaloro called on the PDP to apologise to the judiciary and the electorate, urging them to stop vilifying the system that had delivered an impartial verdict.

He further argued that the PDP’s loss at the tribunal was not a coincidence, but rather a direct reflection of the electorate’s clear choice in favour of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the APC. The party’s ongoing strategy of attacking the judiciary whenever it faces defeat, Otaloro said, only serves to weaken the democratic process and intimidate the rule of law.

Instead of dwelling on a lost governorship battle, Otaloro suggested that the PDP focus on addressing the internal turmoil within their own party, which is currently facing leadership conflicts and waves of defections that threaten its unity.

The APC called on the people of Ondo State to continue their support for the Aiyedatiwa administration and to ignore the “desperate tactics” of the PDP, which seeks to undermine the democratic choice made by the electorate.