A socio-political group, the League of Young Edo Professionals (LEYEP) has condemned the sacking of Gowon Jerry, the lawmaker representing Etsako West 11 Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly.
Jerry was sacked by the Court of Appeal based in technicalities and declared Sylvanus Eruaga of the Peoples Democratic Party winner of the election.
The group described the court’s ruling as a miscarriage of justice.
It said the sacking of the APC lawmaker based on technical issues and not on electoral malpractice or loss of votes was a disservice to the people of Etsako West 11 Constituency.
A press statement signed by the group’s Secretary-General, Dr. Osatohamwen Nosakhare, the league said the people endured harsh weather conditions and intimidation from all areas to cast their votes for the APC candidate.
Dr. Nosakhare said it stood reason on its head for the Election Petitions Tribunal to declare a candidate who garnered 4,001 votes winner against that of a candidate who polled 14,373 votes.
The group noted: “The league of Young Edo Professionals finds it discomfiting that the Tribunal relied on mere technicalities to annul the 14,373 votes legitimately won by Mr. Jerry and gave victory to Mr. Sylvanus who polled a mere 4,001 votes.
According to the statement, “While we admit that the APC may have erred as it failed to meet the required 21-day sent to INEC to hold its primaries, we make bold to say that the candidate who went through the full electoral process should not have been made to suffer the negligence of a few.
“The reliance on technicalities to nullify the 14,373 votes freely given to Gowon Jerry by the good people of Etsako West 11 is therefore a travesty of justice.
“It is disheartening that the PDP and its candidate are celebrating the nullification of votes freely given to another candidate when they should hide their heads in shame for the poor outing in the election and seek ways to worm themselves into the hearts of the people for the next elections.
“The League believes that although the Courts have sacked the APC candidate, the PDP really has no moral right to claim a victory they could not win at the polls, but through court technicalities.”
Group condemns sack of Edo lawmaker Gowon Jerry
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