Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke says he is dedicating his victory at the Appellate Court on the July 16, 2022 governorship election to God and good people of the state.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that the Appeal Court, sitting in Abuja on Friday upturned the ruling of January 27th election petition tribunal sitting in Osogbo which declared his rival, Adegboyega Oyetola of All Progressives Congress, APC winner of the July 2022 governorship election in the state.
Unsatisfied with the ruling of Osun election petition tribunal, Adeleke, his Party, People’s Democratic Party, PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC headed to appellate court in Akure.
Speaking with journalist in his Ede country home after the Appeal Court verdict, Governor Adeleke thanked God for fulfilling his promise in his life.
” I thank God Almighty and our good people of Osun state. I dedicate this victory to God and my people. This judgement confirmed my earlier position that the judgement of the Tribunal is a miscarriage of Justice. The judiciary has right the wrongs of the lower Court. This has rekindled the confidence of the nation in the integrity of the judiciary as the stabiliser of the judiciary and last hope of the common man.
“Osun belonged to all of us, irrespective of party affiliation. This is democracy and the beauty of it is healthy competition. So, the judgement for me is a no victor, no vanquished. We should all return to the table and continue the good work of moving Osun forward.
“I am particularly glad that the Court of Appeal has ruled that BVAS machine and voters register are the primary sources, not the report from the server. This has strengthened our democracy and remove a time bomb which the judgement of the Tribunal had planted for our democracy.
” I appreciate Osun people for standing by me and my party through repeated validation of my governorship mandate at the recent federal and state elections. My party won three straight elections from July 16, 2022 to the March 18, 2023. It was a resounding vote of confidence in my governorship by the people of Osun state. The judiciary has now confirmed the will of the people that I am the validly elected Governor of my state.
” My appreciation goes to the civil servants, artisans, market people, clerics,students, women and youth. Osun people defended the mandate from 2022 to date.
“I commend the judiciary for resisting all pressure. Rule of law is strengthened when judgement affirms the will of the people. On behalf of Osun people and my party, the PDP,, we appreciate the judiciary and the men of conscience on the bar and the bench.
“Let me use this opportunity to extend sincere hands of fellowship to former Governor Oyetola and the APC. Let build the state together. Let unite for the good of our people. The State needs leaders across party lines to join hands for robust and accelerated development of the state.
“As brothers and sisters, we are all requested to start the process of healing. Forget party politics as election is over. All members of the political class in Osun state should join hands with me to take our state to greater height”
Oyetola appeals for calm, hints at going to Supreme Court
Meanwhile, the former governor, Oyetola has appealed to members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain calm and not to be discouraged over the outcome of the appeal, saying his abiding faith in God to reclaim his mandate remains.
Reacting to the Appeal Court judgement which upturned the decision of the Tribunal that initially sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke, Oyetola in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, noted that his belief in the judiciary also remains unshaken.
He further said: “We have heard the judgement of the Appeal Court, but we are yet to receive a copy of the judgement.
“However, from the snippets we are getting, we believe we have a potential ground to approach the Supreme Court. Our belief in the judiciary remains unshaken, just as my abiding faith in the God’s promise regarding the reclaim of my mandate remains undoubted.
“I, therefore, appeal to our supporters and party members to remain calm as we take the next step,” Oyetola added.
