VEILED JUBILATION IN OGUN STATE AS TRIBUNAL NULLIFIES KASHAMU’S ELECTION

Friday, October 9, 2015

Buruji Kashamu

 The verdict of the National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital nullifying the Senatorial election of wanted cocaine Baron, Alhaji Buruji Kashamu this morning, has thrown a section of the state into wild jubilation.

Kashamu, controversial businessman and PDP stalwart, was the candidate of the then ruling party in the March 28, 2015 Senatorial Elections for Ogun East. Other candidates in the election include Dapo Abiodun of All Progressives Congress, APC, Adegbenga Kaka of the Segun Osoba-led Social Democratic Party (SDP) and six others. Kashamu was however controversially returned elected and declared winner of the election by the returning officer of the zone, Professor Babatunde Ikotun, after purportedly polling 99,540 votes ahead of eight other candidates.

In April 2015, however, the All Progressives Congress, APC, through its candidate, Dapo Abiodun, filed a petition accusing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, of manipulating the result in its favour during the collation.

Dapo Abiodun

 After six months of twists and turns in the case, the tribunal finally delivered its judgment this morning Friday 9^th October, 2015 nullifying Kashamu’s Pyrrhic victory.

The Tribunal led by Justice Ebiowei Tobi cancelled units in 8 out 9 local government areas to invalidate the election of the People’s Democratic Party senator. It has also ordered a rerun in a whopping 110 polling units of the senatorial district. The re-run will take place within 90 days.

Shortly after the judgement in Abeokuta this morning, the Tribunal venue erupted in wild jubilation as supporters of the APC burst into ecstatic singing and dancing. The excitement later spread to other parts of the city.

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POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

Hon. Temitope John Derby

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Yesterday in the ancient city of IBADAN, Oyo State, i paid a visit to a friend who was hospitalized as a result of  injuries sustained in an auto crash. During the visit, i was confronted with a frightening scenario. Three young men were rushed into hospital's emergency centre with their badly mutilated body drenched in fresh blood. Checks later revealed that the guys were political thugs who got attacked with machete  in the head during a clash between their party and the supporters of the opposition party in the state.
As the 2011 elections got underway, every right thinking Nigerian should feel seriously worried that those in charge of security of lives and properties in Nigeria do not appear to be  prepared to provide a lasting solution to the nagging problems of  violence and general insecurity in the land. And i strongly believe that the solution to violence, brigandage, assassination and other vices in Nigeria's political system may remain elusive until these people saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order wake up from their slumber and do what they are paid to do.Some people would argue that they are trying their best, but it is obvious that their best is not just enough. Take for instance various cases of political violence that took place in the country between 2003and 2007 electioneering.Investigation to most of these cases are never concluded. After making few arrests (of mostly innocent people) shortly after the incident, nobody ever gets to hear about the progress made on such investigations anymore. In most cases, the investigators go the 'extra mile' of declaring some 'suspects' wanted. And even at that, nothing is achieved. For instance after a series of political violence and gruesome murders that took place in Nigeria around 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, some folks were declared wanted by the authorities. Some of those declared wanted in connection with those violent clashes include notable political figures like Sir Bosun Agodo and Chief Segun Awolo. Others include , Hon.Temitope John Derby (a close associate of former Lagos Senatorial aspirant, Otunba Segun Awolowo and the late Funso Williams). there are also others like, Semiu Dayo Okondo, Goke Olatunji and many more. In most cases, these political personalities, like in the case of  Hon. Temitope John Derby, are declared wanted mainlly as a result of sheer political witch-hunt and persecution. Up till now, the authorities are yet to get a clue about the real masterminds of these violence neither have they been able to track down the whereabouts of those political players declared wanted. There is no evidence also that any meaningful attempt is being made to do justice to the family of most of the victims. As another election approaches...May God Help Nigeria.