We’re In Court To Deepen Democratic Values – Oyetola’s Aide

As hearing in the petition of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola challenging the declaration of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the governor-elect of Osun State commences today at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal decision, Oyetola’s spokesman Ismail Omipidan has said that the petition should not be seen as an attempt to impugn on the integrity of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).

He noted that Oyetola’s decision should rather be commended as it was aimed at deepening the country’s democratic values and its electoral system.

Speaking with journalists yesterday, Omipidan, while expressing confidence in the ability of the members of the Tribunal to do justice in the case before it, further noted that the outcome would go a long way in making INEC fill some gaps that might have been noticed ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Make no mistake, our case is not in any way an attempt to impugn on the integrity of INEC. That’s not the motivation. It is to further help deepen our electoral system and to help INEC correct whatever anomalies or gaps that may have been exposed from the conduct of the Osun Governorship Election ahead of 2023 elections.

“Most of the reforms we have today as part of our electoral laws were borne out of the decisions of the court. Our observations may as well be part of the future reforms,” the governor’s Chief Press Secretary added.

Asked if the APC has any case at all, Omipidan further said, “Apart from the fact that we are challenging his eligibility to stand for the election in the first instance, having purportedly been awarded a university degree barely 24 days after he acquired an equivalent of an O’ level result, we are equally challenging the election results in 749 polling units across 10 Local Governments.’’

Following the declaration of Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the duly elected governor of Osun State in the July 16 governorship election by INEC, the All Progressives Congress APC candidate and incumbent governor approached the tribunal for justice.