Oyetola to approach Supreme Court as jubilation rocks Osun over Adeleke’s victory at appellate court

…governor dedicates victory to Osun people

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

It was jubilation galore in Osogbo and some other parts of Osun State on Friday, following an Appeal Court ruling, which set aside the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal that sacked Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the July 16 gubernatorial election in the state.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja in its ruling reinstated Adeleke as the Governor of Osun State.

When news of the appeal court broke out, members of the ruling party and some residents thronged major streets in Osogbo to celebrate the victory.

But former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola said he will approach the Supreme Court for final arbitration to reclaim his mandate.

In an interview with newsmen at the popular Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo, PDP Caretaker Chairman of Osogbo Local Government, Ajibola Ashimiyu said the ruling has brought the state more joy.

Ashimiyu noted that Governor Adeleke has begun good work in the state and will do more for the people who massively voted for him.

“We are happy with the judgment at the appellate court today upholding the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the Osun governorship election as earlier declared by INEC. 

“We are out here to rejoice and express our joy over the outcome. We urge the people of Osun to remain peaceful. There should be peace and calmness in the state.

“Adeleke has a lot to offer the people of the state. He should continue the good work. We are solidly behind him to give him our full support,” he stated.

Also, several comments of praise on the verdict have filled the social media space as the people of the state congratulated the governor and applauded the judiciary.

Governor Adeleke in his reaction dedicated his victory at the appellate court to God and the people of the state.

Adeleke said the victory authenticated his electoral success at the July 16, 2022 governorship polls.

He expressed delight to the people of his home town, Ede, and Osun State in general for standing by him throughout the period in prayers.

He urged people of the state to celebrate in a moderation and not to engage in breakdown of law and order, stressing that, they should pray for the state and success of his administration in order to keep all his campaign promises.

The governor further stretched hands of fellowship to the opposition parties to join hands with him to run the state.

He enjoined people not to lose confidence in the judiciary, noting that they are trying their best, even though they are human being and there can be mistakes occasionally.

He also urged the judiciary not to be biased in delivering judgement over all cases before them, saying that they are the last hope of the common man.

Meanwhile, the immediate past governor of the state, Adegboyega 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 Friday’s appeal, saying his abiding faith in God to reclaim his mandate remains undoubted.

Reacting to the appellate court judgement which upturned the decision of the Tribunal that initially sacked Governor Adeleke, Oyetola in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, noted that his belief in the judiciary remains unshaken. 

He 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.”

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