AA presidential election petition: Yoruba chieftain calls for out-of-court settlement

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Achieftain of the Yoruba Elders’ Union (YEU), Joshua Foluso Oguntuase, has cited the petition of the Action Alliance (AA) in the Court of Appeal (Presidential Election Petition Tribunal) as one that can have adverse effects on Nigeria’s democracy.

He urged all parties involved to settle out of court for better understanding and peaceful coexistence.

In a statement he issued in Kaduna on Friday, Oguntuase explained that the petition is series-wound of court cases involving the Action Alliance (AA) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in particular and the court, saying that the court has ruled, judged and ordered INEC severally and consistently to do certain needfuls hence, the cause for the petition.

He stressed that if the court is again to rule over its earlier several judgments, it could be very challenging to the court and Nigeria’s democracy, lamenting that it would not be prejudicial or subjudice for a volunteer to come into the matter at any stage for out of court settlement.

Oguntuase opined that one of the primary objectives of the YEU is to defend the interest of the

Yoruba race as their leaders, saying the current National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) is Chief (Dr.) Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje, as recognized by the court, and the current President-elect of Nigeria, as announced by INEC, is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He explained, “Therefore, an average Yoruba leader should seek a proposition of Dispute Resolution Approach (DRA) between Omo-Aje and Tinubu.”

The APGA boss called on political leaders to show some empathy with the suffering masses of our dear country by making the needed sacrifices for the peace, development, and security of Nigeria.

“As we celebrate, we must remember the poor and needy and extend some love to them,” Oye advised.

He called on APGA members across the country to remain steadfast in their support for the party while assuring them that the forthcoming Congresses and National Convention would be well organised to produce the desired results.

He thanked God for keeping Nigeria united and urged all Nigerians to pray fervently for sustainable peace, security, and growth of our dear fatherland.