2019 Election: Court Affirms Obanoyen as PDP Owo/Ose Candidate

It was wild jubilation in Owo and Ose Federal Constituency, Ondo State,  Friday, as youths trooped to the streets to celebrate yet another landmark judgement from the Federal High Court, Akure. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives hopeful Sadiq Obanoyen scored another goal ahead of next Saturday ‘s general election as Justice Dogo refused to grant a stay of execution brought before him by Hon. Bode Ayorinde on the judgement which declared Obanoyen the PDP candidate for Owo/Ose constituency.

Obanoyen had polled 105 to Hon. Ayorinde’s 73 at the primary but the PDP Secretariat in Abuja forwarded the loser’s name to INEC which was vehemently opposed by Obanoyen who eventually retrieved his mandate at the Federal High Court, Akure on January 22.

Hon Ayorinde immediately challenged the judgement as he applied for stay of execution which Justice Dogo refused to uphold.

An elated Kasali Obanoyen, elder brother to Sadiq told The Crest that the judgement was historical.

The former Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) boss said: “It would have amounted to a travesty of justice if the case had gone the other way. Aside the fact that Sadiq is my brother, this is a case of daylight robbery.

“In the past, what Ayorinde did to Sadiq was enough to cause mayhem but Owo and Ose people showed absolute maturity by restraining themselves.  I am happy with the verdict.”

Addressing the youths who showed solidarity and singing choruses in Owo on Friday, Sadiq declared that the youth can be sure of having a voice in the House of Representatives if he is given the mandate.

“I have a mission to represent Owo/Ose constituency well at the National Assembly,” Obanoyen said, while thanking the youths for their support. “The court has just vindicated us. I honestly don’t know how a man who couldn’t beat a small boy like me in a primary that is not more than 250 people will go ahead to contest against the mighty APC. But thank God, the die is cast.”