Adeleke rejects Osun tribunal verdict, vows to appeal sack

Ademola Adeleke says he would appeal the judgment sacking him as governor of Osun state.

Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared winner of the governorship poll held on July 16.

In August 2022, Gboyega Oyetola, former Osun governor, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) petitioned the tribunal to challenge the victory of Adeleke.

Among several issues, Oyetola contended that there was overvoting in 749 polling units across 10 LGAs of the state.

Delivering judgment on Friday, two out of the three-member panel of the tribunal held that the petitioner was able to prove that there was indeed over-voting in some of the polling units.

Consequently, the majority judgment of the tribunal ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Adeleke and issue a fresh one to Oyetola as the duly elected governor of Osun.

Adeleke, in his reaction, described the judgement as “a miscarriage of justice” adding that it is “an unfair interpretation against the will of majority of voters”.

“I call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done,” he added.

“Let our people be reassured that we will do everything possible to retain this widely acclaimed mandate.”