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Oyetola Has Right To Approach Supreme Court – Governor Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Sen Ademola Adeleke has reacted to his victory at the Appeal Court.
He said his predecessor Adegboyega Oyetola has the right to approach the Supreme Court if he wishes to contest the appellate court ruling.
Adeleke said this during the Arise News morning show on Monday.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday affirmed the election of Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the governor of the state.
A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Mohammed Shuaibu unanimously overturned the earlier decision of the election petition tribunal which nullified the governor’s victory in January.
Oyetola, however, in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan said there is solid ground to seek further redress at the apex court.
Adeleke reacting to whether he is anxious, said, “No, not really. If they want to go to the Supreme Court, they have the right to do that. So, I have my people on my side.
 
“And I also have God on my side. If they want to go ahead, it’s their right to go ahead to the Supreme Court.
 
“Immediately after the news of the Appeal Court, I tried to reach out and called the former Governor Oyetola to let us forge ahead and move Osun forward.
 
“Although he has not called to congratulate me, I’m still hoping he will do that because we don’t have any other state than Osun state here. So, I’m ready. My hands are open. Please, let’s come together and move Osun state forward.”
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Oyetola Has Not Congratulated Me – Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said that the immediate past governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, has not congratulated him after his Appeal Court victory.

Adeleke who said he was open to working with the former governor said he had yet to hear from Oyetola.

The governor said this when he featured on Arise TV Morning Show on Monday.

“Immediately after the news of the Appeal Court (judgement), I tried to reach out, I called him – the former Governor Oyetola – to let us forge ahead to move Osun forward, but up till now, he has not called me to congratulate me and I’m still hoping that he will do that because we don’t have any other state than Osun State here. So, I’m ready, my hands are open, let’s come together and move Osun State forward,
” Adeleke said.

When asked what he would like to say to Oyetola, Adeleke made a U-turn on reaching out to Oyetola, saying he never called the former governor.

“Well let me correct it, I did not say I put a call to him, what I said is I’m still expecting him to call me so that he can congratulate me, and if he wants to do otherwise and go ahead to the Supreme Court, he has the right to do that,”
 the governor said.

He reiterated that he would like to work with Oyetola.

The governor also said he was not afraid of the Supreme Court, saying he had his people and God on his side.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, last Friday, set aside the tribunal judgment that nullified the election of Adeleke as governor of the state.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal, held that the appeal lodged by Adeleke to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was meritorious.

The court also awarded a sum of N500,000 as a cost against the All Progressive Congress and its candidate, Oyetola.

During the ruling, the justice resolved that the preponderance of proof that there was over-voting in the elections rested on the petitioner.

The court also maintained that “the party alleging non-compliance with the electoral act must prove its case without merely relying on the weakness of the other party.”

Delivering judgment, Justice Mohammed Shaibu overruled the judgment of the governorship election tribunal that nullified the outcome of the July governorship polls.

The three-man panel revoked the tribunal’s order which directed that a Certificate of Return be withdrawn from Adeleke and issued to his predecessor and All Progressives Congress candidate, Oyetola.

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Appeal Court Judgement: No Victor, No Vanquished – Adeleke Speaks

Governor Ademola Adeleke has reacted to his victory at the court of appeal.

Following the judgement of the Appeal Court that affirmed his victory as the duly elected Governor of Osun state, Senator Ademola Adeleke described the outcome as “no victory, no vanquished”.

Speaking shortly after the judgement at his Ede country home, the Governor said Osun belongs to all irrespective of political or religion affiliation.

He urged members of the opposition party to cooperate with his administration to move the state to the next level.

“I thank the people of Osun for standing by me throughout the trial period and even now, irrespective of the outcome of the verdict. The people have spoken and the judiciary has aligned with their voices.

“Osun belonged to all of us, irrespective of party affiliation. This is democracy and the beauty of it is healthy competition. So, the judgement for me is a no victor, no vanquished. We should all return to the table and continue the good work of moving Osun forward.

“I urged the good people of the state to continue to be law abiding. From me, I am assuring you that the good work is just starting, they should expect more dividends of democracy.

“I also commend the Judges of the Court of Appeal for standing on the side of truth. They should continue to stand on the side of the law. The court is the last hope of the common man and we commend the court for dispensing justice today”, he said.

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Oyetola Reacts To Appeal Court Judgement Against Him

Former Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has broken his silence after the Appeal Court on Friday ruled against him.
According to him, there is ground for him and his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to approach the Supreme Court over the judgement of the Appeal Court.
Reacting to the Appeal Court judgement which upturned the decision of the Tribunal that initially sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke, Oyetola noted that his belief in the judiciary also remains unshaken.
Oyetola in a statement issued by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan said the from the snippet available from the judgement, there are solid ground to seek further redress at the Apex Court.
He appealed to members and supporters of the APC to remain calm and not to be discouraged over the outcome of the Friday’s appeal, saying his abiding faith in God to reclaim his mandate remains undoubted.
The statement partly reads; “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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Jubilation In Osun As Appeal Court Affirms Adeleke’s Victory

There was jubilation in Osun after the Appeal Court affirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke as the duly elected governor of the state.
The jubilants crowd were seen singing victory and solidarity songs in appreciation of the Governor’s victory.
Party supporters in Osogbo, Ede, the Governor’s country home thronged major street celebrating what they described as victory for the will of the people.
The Osogbo crowd, danced from Oja-Oba through Isale-Osun, Asubiaro, Jaleyemi, Odi-Olowo and stopped at Olaiya junction to dance for few minutes before moving back through the named routes.
Speaking with journalists at Olaiya, Osogbo local government Caretaker Chairman of the Party, Ajibola Asimiyu said the party members felt obliged to jubilate the victory as affirmed by the appellate court.
 
“We are out to thank God that the people’s mandate is not taken away by the judiciary. Our resolve is to stand with the Governor till the very last minute. We voted for him and we will always pray for his success.
 
“Today, the Appeal Court has further affirmed out believe in the judiciary and we residents of the state, irrespective of political party affiliation, to cooperate with the Governor with a view to steering the ship of the state to enviable height”, he said.
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See How Nigerians Reacted After Appeal Court Reinstated Adeleke As Osun Governor

Nigerians have reacted after the Appeal Court on Friday upheld the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The Appeal Court set aside the decision of the Osun State Governorship tribunal which sacked Adeleke as the governor of the state and affirmed the victory of Adeleke.

Recall that the former governor of the state and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gboyega Oyetola, had challenged Adeleke’s victory in the July 16 governorship election, before the election petition tribunal in Osun state.

The tribunal led by Justice Tertse Kume, in a split judgement of 2 to 1, sacked Adeleke based on irregularities in 744 polling units across ten local government areas of the state.

It canceled the alleged illegal votes and declared Oyetola the winner on legally valid votes.

The tribunal had also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Adeleke and issue it to Oyetola.

In a ruling on Friday, the court ruled that the APC and Oyetola failed to prove its over-voting case against Adeleke.

Following the development, netizens took to the micro-blogging platform, Twitter to express their reactions to the ruling of the appellate court.

See some of the reactions below.

@ManLikeIcey wrote: “CONFIRMED: Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke remains Governor of the State. The appeal court ruled in his favor. Congratulations to the great people of Osun State.”

@Shakur_Dml wrote: “I think Oyetola should rest at this point. He lost and it’s clear the people don’t want him.”

@great_igie wrote: “The people’s governor has been reinstated. Congratulations to Osun State.”

@66612Umoh wrote: “Great! This is good for our democracy, congratulations Mr governor!”

@DaddyboyI wrote: “Very Good judgment for our democracy.”

@toninny wrote: “Oyetola go Supreme Court, let them disqualify you once more so you can allow Adeleke to face his job.”

@iamLABOD wrote: “That is the will of God and that is the will of the Osun masses too. If not for rigging, this man should be doing his second-year tenure now. Osun people want him, and he is performing for them already. So, therefore, let no man worry Imole again.”

@Alexander11426 wrote: “Congratulations Gov. Adeleke. We hope and pray for victory for Peter Obi also. Amen.“

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How Governor Adeleke Won at Appeal Court, Oyetola Fined N500,000

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Friday slammed N500,000 fine on the All Progressives and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola as it set aside the tribunal judgment that nullified the election of Ademola Adeleke as governor of Osun State.
The unanimous decision was given by a three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal.
Adeleke to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was meritorious.
The court also held that the sum of N500,000 is awarded as a cost against the All Progressive Congress and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.
During the ruling, the justice resolved that the preponderance of proof that there was over-voting in the elections rested on the petitioner.
The court also maintained that “the party alleging non-compliance with the electoral act must prove its case without merely relying on the weakness of the other party.”
Delivering judgment, Justice Mohammed Shaibu overruled the judgment of the governorship election tribunal that nullified the outcome of the July governorship polls.
The three-man panel revoked the tribunal’s order which directed that a Certificate of Return be withdrawn from Adeleke and issued to his predecessor and All Progressives Congress candidate, Oyetola.
The Osun tribunal had annulled Adeleke’s victory and affirmed Gboyega Oyetola of All Progressives Congress as the authentic winner of the poll.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had returned Adeleke as the winner of the poll.
INEC said Adeleke polled 403,371 votes to defeat then-incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC, who got 375,027 votes
But Oyetola and the APC rejected the result of the poll and headed for the tribunal.
In its January 27, 2023 majority verdict, the Justice Tertse Kume-led tribunal annulled Adeleke’s victory and declared Oyetola the winner of the poll.
However, a minority judgment by Justice B. Ogbuli affirmed Adeleke as the winner of the poll.
Displeased, Adeleke and the PDP headed for the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal heard the appeal on March 13 and reserved its judgment.
But the court of Appeal on Friday set aside the tribunal judgement.
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Osun Tribunal: Appeal Court Reserves Judgement on Adeleke’s Appeal

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has given an update on the Osun State governorship appeal filed by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The court on Monday reserved judgement on the appeal.
The appeal filed by Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party is against a judgment of the tribunal which invalidated his election as governor of Osun State.
The three-member panel of justices led by Justice M.F. Shuaibu began sitting on the appeal at about 10am.While Adeleke is the appellant, Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress are 1st and 2nd respondents in the appeal marked: CA/AK/EPT/GOV/01/2023.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and the PDP are also joined as 3rd respondent and 4th respondents respectively.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had on January  27, voided the July 16, 2022, election that produced Adeleke of PDP as the elected governor.
INEC had declared Adeleke the winner of the election after polling a total of 403,371 votes. He was said to have won in 17 of the 30 local government areas in the state.
But the panel led by Justice Terste Kume, in its judgment, invalidated the election and declared Mr Gboyega Oyetola of APC as the valid winner of the poll.
The tribunal directed INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Adeleke and his deputy, Kola Adewusi, both of whom had been sworn in.
It, however, directed that the Certificate of Return should instead be issued to Oyetola.
Justice Kume held that the governorship election was not held in compliance with Nigeria’s Electoral Act. The tribunal also held that the governorship election was characterised by over-voting. It said after deducting the excessive votes, the figure Oyetola polled at the election was 314, 921.
The tribunal, thus, ordered that Oyetola should be returned as governor of Osun State.
NAN reports that INEC, in its earlier results, said Oyetola won in 13 LGAs with 375,027 votes in the July 16, 2022 governorship election.
Fifteen candidates contested for the poll which was keenly contested between Adeleke and Oyetola.
In his petition, Oyetola, the immediate-past governor of the state, had alleged that the election was characterised by over-voting in 749 polling units.
He also argued that Adeleke forged the academic credentials he submitted to NEC to contest for the election.
The tribunal had commenced sitting in August 2022, a few weeks after the governorship election. Oyetola and the APC were petitioners in the case with Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and Akin Olujimi, SAN, as their lead counsels.
INEC was the 1st defendant, Adeleke the 2nd defendant and PDP as 3rd defendant.
The hearing was still ongoing as at the time of filing the report.