Osogbo Agog As Court Of Appeal Upholds Oyetola’s Election
Osogbo, Osun State capital went agog with wild jubilation Thursday when the news of the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Abuja which set aside the judgement of the Osun Governorship Election Tribunal filtered in.
The Appeal Court set aside the split judgement of Osun Election Petition Tribunal that declared Senator Ademola Adeleke as the dully elected governor of Osun State and that INEC should withdraw Certificate of Return from Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and hand it over to Adeleke.
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola along with members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC trooped out in large number to major streets of Osogbo amid dancing and victorious songs.
The popular Olaiya junction was filled to capacity by drummers, local entertainers, the jubilant party members and security men who were at hand to prevent possible breakdown of law and order
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, upheld the election of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, even as it nullified the tribunal judgment that declared Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as valid winner of governorship election that held in the state in September, 2018.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola in a chat with newsmen described the judgementl as a long awaited expectation of the people of the state.
He said he could not hide his happiness upon receiving the news of his victory at the Appeal.
He said the facts have been revealed already by the Appellate court saying he would not be anxious if Senator Adeleke decided to approach the Supreme Court.
He said the people of the state, without being prompted, trooped out to join him in the jubilation.
“This is the judgement that the people of Osun have been waiting for. I am happy and the judgement is wonderful. This is what the people want to hear. They came out today without being prompted to rejoice and celebrate this judgment,” he said.
Asked about his chances at the Supreme Court should Adeleke decid to approach it, Oyetola said, ” I am not bothered about that. The facts have been stated already by competent courts. We are ready for them. Even the people of Osun are elated as you can see and this shows that we will win again at the Supreme Court.
Reacting in a statement made available to newsmen, Senator Ademola Adeleke said: “I received with dissatisfaction the judgement of the Court of Appeal on the ruling of the election petition tribunal which had duly returned me as the validly elected governor of Osun state. I have subsequently instructed my counsel to prepare for an appeal against today’s judgement at the Supreme Court immediately.
“Today’s judgement relied on weak technical foundation.The substantive issue which formed the basis of the lower tribunal judgement was relegated to the background. We are reviewing the full ruling and action has already commenced to appeal the judgement and ensure the eventual retrieval of the stolen mandate.
“To the good people of Osun state, dont be downcast.The struggle for good governance and retrieval of People’s mandate cannot be truncated by any flawed judgement.We are taking the legal battle further to the topmost court in the land. I am confident the apex court will upturn today’s unsustainable ruling.
“To all members of PDP in Osun State and my campaign Organisation, the struggle is now at the most critical stage. We cannot waiver nor slow down. We must forge ahead in high spirit until final victory is attained. In this endeavour, I promise to provide the leadership as the genuine governorship mandate holder in Osun state.
“My good people.of Osun state, I know the pain and suffering you are passing through.The move to reclaim your mandate is still very much alive despite the jaundiced ruling of today. We will not abandon the mandate you freely conferred on us. We will deploy all legal means to retrieve the stolen mandate.
Also speaking, the Chairman of PDP in the state, Hon. Soji Adagunodo noted that the judgement is based on technicalities that cannot stand the test of law.
He expressed his optimism that his party will be victorious at the Supreme Court adding that the entire senatorial is the beauty of democracy.
ENDS
