By Osehobo Ofure Victor
The recent judgment by the Court of Appeal in the voter’s card forgery case involving Asue Akintunde Ighodalo, outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki’s political godson, has brought to light significant concerns regarding transparency in the otherwise dark administration.
The court’s findings of forgery have sparked a debate on why the godfather and the PDP seems intent on suppressing these revelations knowing fully well, the broader implications this has for governance in Edo State.
Some born again PDP writers have even accused the APC of scavenging for court judgements in Abuja and seeking to occupy Osadebey Avenue through fraudulent means. These are the PDP’S new found angels, sycophants and bootlickers, who shamelessly relish their vomit in the full glare of the public. Let’s forget them for now
The core issue revolves around the judgment which found **compelling evidence of voter’s card forgery by Ighodalo**. Despite this, there was a noticeable attempt by the embattled PDP camp to downplay and obscure the details of the case.
This pattern of behavior raises questions about the party, it’s godfather and the State government’s commitment to transparency and fear of the truth coming to light.
Ironically, this isn’t the first instance where the shameless PDP has been guilty of obscuring facts. Throughout its godfather’s tenure, there have been multiple allegations of his reluctance to be transparent and accountable to the people of Edo State, in clear violations of the very principles of democracy and the rule of law, he swore to uphold
In the specific case of Ighodalo, the Court of Appeal’s decision to lambast the Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) who filed an interlocutory appeal on his behalf underscores the judiciary’s frustration with attempts to delay and complicate pre-election litigations.
The court solidly highlighted the problematic nature of these appeals, which seek to avoid full accountability by stalling the legal process.
Lawyers who ought to know say that there is a legal and crucial backdrop of this issue. The 1999 Nigerian Constitution, particularly Section 285(8), explicitly mandates that **interlocutory issues in pre-election matters should be resolved at the final judgment stage. This provision aims to expedite the legal process and prevent the abuse of interlocutory appeals to stall justice. The appellate court’s decision thus aligns with the constitutional mandate, emphasizing the need for swift and decisive justice in pre-election cases.
**The Court of Appeal’s decision effectively overruled Justice Omotosho’s earlier judgment in favor of Ighodalo, highlighting the missteps of Ighodalo’s legal team**. This decision underscores the importance of adhering to constitutional provisions and the judiciary’s role in upholding these principles.
The godfather’s intervention to shield Ighodalo from scrutiny raises earthshaking concerns about his administration’s integrity. By attempting to prevent the public from learning the truth, the godfather appears to prioritize political expediency over ethical governance. This approach not only erodes public trust but also questions his commitment to democratic values.
The actions of the PDP’s camp in this case reflect a broader issue of failed political leaders posing as godfathers fearing the exposure of inconvenient truths. Transparency and accountability are crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring that leaders serve Edo people rather than their political interests.
The Court of Appeal’s judgment in the Ighodalo forgery case is a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. His godfather’s attempts to obscure the truth only highlight his fear of the revelations and their potential impact on his political standing.
The people of Edo State deserve leaders who embrace honesty and uphold democratic principles, not ones who cower from the truth like the PDP.