BY: News Peddlers
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Governor, Ademola Adeleke |
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has dedicated his victory in the appeal court, which confirmed him as the winner of the governorship election on July 16, 2022, to God and the people of the state.
This is according to a statement signed by the governor and made available to journalists in Osogbo on Friday.
Mr Adeleke stated that the decision confirmed his earlier position that the Tribunal's decision was a miscarriage of justice.
He claimed that with the appeal court decision, the judiciary had righted the Tribunal's wrongs.
According to him, this has restored his faith in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
“I am particularly glad that the Court of Appeal has ruled that Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) machine and voters register are the primary sources, not the report from the server.
“This has strengthened our democracy and remove a time bomb which the judgement of the Tribunal had planted for our democracy.
“I appreciate Osun people for standing by me and my party through repeated validation of my governorship mandate at the recent general elections.
“My party won three straight elections from July 16, 2022, to the March 18, 2023.
“It is a resounding vote of confidence in my victory as governor by the people of Osun state,” he said.
Mr Adeleke said the judiciary had further confirmed the will of the people that he was duly elected governor, and commended them for “resisting all pressure”.
“Rule of law is strengthened when judgement affirms the will of the people. On behalf of Osun people and my party, the PDP, we appreciate the judiciary and the men of conscience on the bar and the bench.
“My appreciation also goes to the civil servants, artisans, market people, clerics, students, women and youths. Osun people for defending the mandate from 2022 till date.
“Let me use this opportunity to extend sincere hands of fellowship to former Governor Oyetola and the APC.
“Let’s build the state together. Let’s unite for the good of our people. The State needs leaders across party lines to join hands for robust and accelerated development of the state.
“As brothers and sisters, we are all requested to start the process of healing.
“Forget party politics as election is over. All members of the political class in Osun state should join hands with me to take our state to greater height,” the governor said.
On Friday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the tribunal verdict that had invalidated Ademola Adeleke's election as governor of Osun State.
In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel of justices led by Justice Mohammed Lawal held that Mr Adeleke's appeal to challenge his dismissal by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was meritorious.
On January 27, the Osun tribunal annulled Mr Adeleke's victory and declared Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress the genuine winner of the election, after the Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Mr Adeleke the winner.
(NAN)