OSUN GUBER: ‘Justice will prevail at last’, Oyetola says as he appeals tribunal decision

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has filed an appeal against the verdict of the Osun State governorship election tribunal upturning his victory.

This was revealed in a statement by Mr. Wole Oyebamiji, Secretary to the State Government of Osun.

In the statement, the Osun State Government informed the people that the judgment of the election tribunal has been appealed.

The government assured the people of Osun that justice will prevail at last, urging calm.

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It said law enforcement agencies have been instructed to maintain law and order across the state.

The Osun government appreciated the support of the majority of the people “in all things essential for mutual progress”.

It further assured all the residents of the state of adequate security of lives and properties, noting that the government of the state is still the only legitimate government with the authority to govern.

Residents of the state were urged to go about their lawful duties without any hindrance.

Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the APC has also rejected the verdict.

The APC have said that the tribunal’s verdict cannot stand superior legal scrutiny and therefore they will appeal against it.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, the party’s Director of publicity, Kunle Oyatomi, said the party would appeal the decision.

The Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja had earlier on Friday declared Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP as the bonafide winner of the governorship election that was held in the state in September.

The tribunal, in a two-to-one judgment, held that Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was not the valid winner of both the September 22 and 27 re-run elections.

Consequently, it nullified the Certificate of Return the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, issued to Oyetola, even as it awarded a cost of 200,000.00 against him and the APC.

In the lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Peter Obiora, the tribunal held that the State Returning Officer of INEC that cancelled results of seven polling units in four LGAs of the state, which led to the September 27 re-run poll, had no power to do so.

Therefore, it invalidated the outcome of the re-run election.

“We hold that the cancellation was unlawful and ultra-vires of his powers. “The cancellation cannot stand, being a product of illegality”, the tribunal held.

However, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, said he disagreed with the lead verdict.

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