How ACN, PDP faithful received verdict

Aregbesola

The premises of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan and adjoining streets erupted in jubilation on Friday as the appellate court declared the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the 2007 governorship election in Osun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, as the state governor.

Members and chief of the party, who thronged the court, could not hold back their joy as the Justice Clara Ogunbiyi-led five man panel ordered that Aregbesola be inaugurated as the state governor.

As soon as it became obvious that the judge would conclude her five-hour judgement in favour of the ACN candidate, the party members started shouting, “Allahu Akbar” intermittently, raising two fingers up as a sign of victory as she read out her declaration. Security operatives quickly moved in to restore order.

Immediately the court rose, the party faithful, led by Cardinal Odumbakun, started singing victory songs, while photo journalists were falling over one another in order to get good shots.

Many were seen making frantic efforts to get the news across to those who were not at the court, either through voice calls of text messages via their cell telephones.

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party wore gloomy looks as they found their way out of the court premises.

Some of them had quickly left the court as soon as the court had resolved the first three out of the five issues in the appeal in favour of Aregbesola. Some others, who did not leave immediately, were seen with misty eyes on the corridors, ruminating on the fate that had befallen them.

The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Niyi Owolade, could not hide his disappointment as he kept murmuring his dissatisfaction with the judgement to a lawyer who sat beside him while the judgement was still being read.

While all the lawyers who announced their appearances for the parties in the case rose to thank and commend the judges at the end of the judgement, Owolade did not comment.

He remained seated with his two hands folded across his chest.

Meanwhile, security operatives had a hectic time controlling the number of people that attended the court sitting. As early as 7 am, people had already gathered at the premises, waiting for the courtroom to open.

No sooner had the room opened at about a few minutes to 8 am than it was filled up. Journalists and lawyers clearly outnumbered the space provided for them, forcing some of them to either remain standing while the judgement lasted or some seated on the tiled floor of the courtroom.

The air-conditioning system in the room was overstretched as seen in the people improvising by using office files and books to fan themselves. The Area Commander in charge of Iyaganku, Mrs. Abiodun Ige, an assistant commissioner of police, led policemen to maintain law and order in the area.

As soon as the judgement was over, a superintendent of police, Mr. Agboola Abiodun, was heard telling those congregating to leave the court premises immediately.

Source:http://www.punchng.com/