The Osun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Certificate of Return as duly elected Governor to Senator Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The three-man tribunal upheld the petitions filed by Adeleke and the PDP, challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Gboyega Oyetola at the September 2018 election.
The tribunal had earlier dismissed the objections of the APC and Oyetola.
It said Adeleke’s petition has merit. The tribunal also declared the rerun election as illegal.
The PDP and Adeleke had filed a petition asking the tribunal to declare that he polled the highest lawful votes and should be declared the winner.
But Oyetola, APC and INEC had filed their notices of preliminary objection contending, among others, that the petition was incompetent and that the court lacked jurisdiction.
The tribunal also held that the supplementary election by INEC in seven cancelled units on September 22, 2018, was null and void.
The tribunal ruled that the Returning Officer who cancelled the results had no power to do so.
Meanwhile, Osun State APC says it will appeal the judgement.
Mr Kunle Oyatomi, the APC Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, said in a statement on Friday in Osogbo that the verdict would not stand superior legal scrutiny.
”We are going to appeal the judgement.
The verdict cannot stand superior legal scrutiny. Therefore, we will appeal against it,’’ Oyatomi said.
The PDP in the state, however, commended the judiciary on what it called a landmark judgement.
Mr Soji Adagunodo, the Osun PDP Chairman, in his reaction, said the victory was for the people of the state.
Adagunodo said the judgement shows that “we still have men of impeccable character in the judiciary.’’
”Kudos to the Nigerian judiciary and this shows that we still have men of impeccable character in the judiciary.
“Truly, the judiciary is the last hope of common man,’’ Adagunodo said.
Adagunodo said since the APC had decided to appeal the judgement, PDP would await the outcome at the appellate court.
