Osun poll: PDP disowns election tribunal petition, threatens sanctions
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially distanced itself from an election petition challenging the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 15 Osun governorship election.
Mr. Jungudo Mohammed, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, made the announcement during a news conference Wednesday in Abuja. He stated that the PDP did not authorize, sponsor, or approve the petition identified as EPT/OS/GOV/02/2026, which is currently before the Election Petition Tribunal in Osogbo.
Mohammed clarified that only the PDP National Legal Adviser holds the authority to initiate or delegate legal actions on behalf of the party, and no such authorization was granted regarding this case.
“We are here to inform you that the PDP did not authorize this petition, and it is not our case,” Mohammed said. “The party did not institute, sponsor, approve, nor endorse the petition challenging the outcome of the August 15 Osun governorship election.”
Additionally, Mohammed indicated that the PDP has issued disclaimers in major national newspapers regarding the unauthorized petition. He identified Ochai Jacob Otokpa, a legal practitioner, as the individual who purportedly filed the petition in the party’s name.
The spokesman challenged Otokpa to provide any written authority or mandate that would empower him to act on behalf of the PDP. “Who instructed him? Who authorized him? By what authority did he purport to act in the name of the PDP?” Mohammed asked. “These are legitimate questions that the party and the Nigerian public deserve clear answers to.”
The PDP’s candidate in the election had previously appeared on a television program on September 7, where he disclaimed and disowned the petition, stating that he did not engage any legal representative to contest the election results.
Mohammed also revealed that the PDP’s legal department is taking immediate steps to formally withdraw the unauthorized petition from the tribunal in Osogbo. He urged security agencies and relevant authorities to investigate the situation surrounding the fraudulent petition and take appropriate action against those involved.
He called on the Election Petition Tribunal, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Accord Party, Governor Adeleke, and the public to disregard the petition entirely.
Mohammed cautioned against the unauthorized use of the PDP’s name for personal gain and stressed that the party would not tolerate actions that undermine its integrity. He warned of disciplinary measures against any individuals involved, regardless of their position within the party.
“The PDP is a creation of the law, and we are committed to addressing any actions that attempt to ridicule the party,” he said. “We will take decisive action against any individual found to be acting on behalf of the party without legitimate authority.”
