Ondo State Governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic (PDP), Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, has explained why he did not join the national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee and governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni in his petition before the election petitions tribunal.
Addressing leaders of his party in a meeting at the party’s state Secretariat, Alagbaka, Akure on Tuesday, Jegede disclosed that he did not join Buni in absolute obedience to the dictates of the law of the land which forbids anyone from suing a sitting governor.
Jegede, who did not regret his action, admonished the citizenry irrespective of their status, to always respect the laws of the land even if heaven would fall.
The senior advocate took his time to explain to the party’s leaders the position of the constitution regarding a sitting governor who errs.
He said: “We must respect our laws at all times even if heaven will fall. And of course, heaven will not even fall if we all take it upon ourselves to obey our own laws, no matter whose ox is gored.
“You see, Americans respect their laws so much and that’s why the country is a pride of all today.
“Sometimes ago, American President Joe Biden staggered and almost fell two times as he was climbing the aircraft. Nobody came near him because their law forbids anyone to so do if such person was not beckoned to by the president. If we have made laws, then we must always respect them.
“Our laws say we cannot sue the governor because of the immunity he enjoys. The implication is that if a governor hits a man and the man dies, he cannot be sued at least for the time he holds sway as a governor.
“Election matters have laws that govern them, Governor Buni could not have been a respondent, in fact, If we had joined him, our case would have been struck out on the very first day.
“But the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and its verdict is final on all matters. I appeal to you to continue to have respect and place hope on our judiciary. Only God is perfect in all things.”
Jegede appreciated leaders and members of the party for fighting a good cause aimed at strengthening and deepening the nation’s democratic institutions.
Expressing gratitude to God for sparing his life and all the PDP members throughout the journey, Jegede said he had played his own part and that posterity would not fail to place him on the right side of history.
He said: “Today is a day of thanksgiving and I am thankful to God Almighty and all the members of our great party for their unwavering support and solidarity throughout this journey. I thank you all.
“You know they said we don’t have a case. They said we jettisoned our 400 witnesses to pursue what is not. But today we have been vindicated by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court.
“The court agreed with us that there was actual breach of the constitution. The judgement has sent jitters into the spines of APC and today cabinet ministers are shouting themselves hoarse over the implication of the judgement.
“We have fought a good fight and posterity will not fail to place us on the right side of history.”
Independent
