The Supreme Court has dashed the hope of former Osun State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, to return as governor of the state.
The highest court in the land yesterday set aside the appeal by Oyetola, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Osun State governor.
Justice Emmanuel Agim who read the lead judgement of the apex court upheld the judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld the election of Adeleke as the state governor.
The apex court held that the appellant failed to adduce enough evidence to prove his allegation of over voting in the July 16, 2022 governorship poll.
The judgment was affirmed and adopted by the entire five members of the panel.
“This appeal lacked merit and it’s hereby dismissed,” the apex court held.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Adeleke the winner of the poll, saying he scored 403,371 votes to sack Oyetola who was the incumbent with 375,027.
But Oyetola and his party alleged irregularities in the polls and challenged Adeleke’s victory at the Tribunal.
Respite came for the former governor on January 27, 2023 as Justice Tertse Kume who gave the majority judgement overturned Adeleke’s victory and declared Oyetola the winner of the poll.
Justice Kume held that Oyetola scored the majority lawful votes of 314,931 against Adeleke’s 290,266.
Not satisfied with the judgement, Adeleke and the PDP headed to the Court of Appeal, which on March 24 nullified the Tribunal judgment and returned Adeleke as the winner.
Jubilation In Osun As Adeleke Dedicates Victory To God
Dissatisfied with the appellate court verdict, Oyetola and the PDP headed for the Supreme Court also backed the Appeal Court and upheld Adeleke’s victory.
As soon as the apex court delivered its judgement, wild jubilation erupted across Osun State as residents trooped to the streets, especially in Ede, the hometown of the governor to celebrate the victory.
In his response, Adeleke who dedicated the judgement to God described the verdict as an historic landmark in the history of Osun politics.
He said, “Today is that moment when the will of the people ordained by God survived an anti-masses plot of powerful forces. We therefore celebrate God almighty. We dedicate today’s victory to Him. State power is of God and he bestowed it in whoever he wishes. I will remain God’s driven, divinely inspired. I will govern with the fear of God. Our governorship is an affirmation that we are for the people, by the people.
“As a moral compass, affirming the integrity of my lord justices, your affirmation for the truth and peoples will, consolidate and strengthen our democracy. On behalf of Osun people we appreciate you and adore your love for justice and equity.
“To all stakeholders in the Osun project, be assured that the revalidation of our mandate is a challenge, a call to duty, a fresh demand for more dividend of democracy. I commit myself to more expanded delivery of good governance, in me you will find a true pro people governor.”
Adeleke sought the support of all Osun residents and citizens, irrespective of party affiliations adding that the state belongs to all, hence the need to join hands to develop it.
Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the APC said it received the verdict with equanimity and placidity bearing in mind that in a contest, someone must emerge the winner.
According to the state acting chairman of the party, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, the Supreme Court decisions are final which cannot be challenged in any other court of the land.
Lawal said, “As a democratic political body that solely believes in the rule of law, there is no way that we can fault the judgement of the Supreme Court which is the highest court in the land even though we are not happy with the judicial decision.
“While we are congratulating the beneficiary of the judgement, we make bold to state that we shall not be found wanting in playing our expected opposition roles in order to keep the government on its toes.
“The members and supporters of our party should refuse to be downcast with the current political situation in the state as the nature of politics is that one doesn’t win all the time.
“The prevailing condition of the winner(s) of today does not make him the perpetual winner as the political office which was contested for is a tenured one for a period of four years after which we shall have the opportunity to slug it out with those who are rejoicing over today’s victory.
“It is, however, worthwhile to state that our party and our candidate, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, might have lost the election as it was pronounced by the apex court of the land but it is visible to the court of the public that they never lost the battle”.
PMB, Tinubu Hail Adeleke, Urge Him To Unite Osun State
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari and president-elect, Bola Tinubu, yesterday congratulated Governor Adeleke on his victory at the Supreme Court, urging him to unite the people of Osun State.
Specifically, Buhari said he recognised the Supreme Court’s verdict on the July 16, 2022 governorship election in Osun State, as well as the important role of the judiciary in deepening rule of law and democracy.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, noted that with the final decision of the court, the president reminded the political class and their supporters that the main task at hand is to make the people feel the impact of good governance, where a prosperous, peaceful and stable Osun is guaranteed.
He, therefore, urged all citizens and residents of the state, particularly her notable sons and daughters, to give the government of Senator Ademola Adeleke all the support it needs to ensure that programmes, policies, plans and aspirations fashioned to make individuals and businesses flourish succeed.
Hew said, “Elections should be seen as the path to an end, which is the progress of the people in a peaceful environment, rather than unending bickering. This is the time for inclusion and harmony in the State at the end of litigation.”
Buhari thanked the people of Osun for contributing immensely to the development of the nation, particularly through the State’s rich cultural heritage, the several historic sites and tourist attractions, including the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Adesina said the president trusts that the government will continue to develop the boundless resources in the State of the Living Spring, complementing the roles of the government at the Centre on national development and prosperity.
Also, president-elect, Bola Tinubu, congratulated Adeleke on his victory at the Supreme Court, urging him to now move quickly to unite the state.
A statement signed by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, quoted the president-elect as saying with the final court in the land giving its verdict on the Osun governorship tussle, all must respect the judgement.
Rahman added that Tinubu also commended the immediate-past governor of the state, Oyetola, for discharging himself creditably during his first term and for deepening democracy by pursuing his democratic rights peacefully to the end.
Tinubu said, “I congratulate Mr. Ademola Adeleke over his declaration by the Supreme Court as the winner of Osun Governorship election. The apex court in the land has spoken and all of us must obey its verdict. It is the right thing to do for democracy and rule of law to continue to thrive in the land.
“I must also commend the immediate-past governor of the state, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, for exercising his democratic rights as the constitution allows him to do. Governor Oyetola discharged himself creditably in office. He lost the office but did not lose his integrity and reputation as the governor who brought efficiency, transparency and accountability to the business of governance.
“Now that the matter of the July 16, 2022 Osun State Governorship Election has been brought to a close, I urge Governor Adeleke to immediately settle down to work and continue from where the former governor left it. He should now move to unite the state. I also urge all the people of Osun to work for peace and progress in the state.”
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