‘It’s testimony of people’s will’ — Adeleke commends s’court ruling on Osun guber

Ademola Adeleke has commended the supreme court judgement reaffirming him as the governor of Osun state.

On Tuesday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that a court of appeal correctly reinstated Adeleke as governor.

Delivering judgment in the appeal by Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Agim, who read the lead judgment, said the appellant and his party failed to tender relevant materials such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) from the 744 polling units in the state, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voters’ register or form EC8A showing the number of votes cast at each unit.

The supreme court held that Adeleke was the duly elected governor of Osun.

Reacting to the declaration in a chat with reporters in Ede, Osun state, Adeleke said the victory emphasised that “the will of the people ordained by God survives the anti-masses plot of powerful forces”.

He thanked the residents of the state for their support and promised to be “a truly pro-people governor”.

“Today is the day our God ordained to stamp his authority as the owner and giver of power,” Adeleke said.

“Today is that moment when the will of the people ordained by God survives the anti-masses plot of powerful forces.

“We, therefore, celebrate God Almighty, the author and finisher of our faith.

“We dedicate today’s victory to him, as we finally assume the governorship of this great state of living spring.

“State power is of God and He bestows it on whoever he wills – I will remain God driven, divinely inspired governing with the fear of God.

“Our governorship is an affirmation that a government of the people, by the people and for the people is possible.

“Our victory is a testimony that people’s will backed by divine will can withstand and survive plots of anti-democratic elements.

“I must therefore express my heartfelt appreciation to the great people of Osun state for your deep support. On behalf of my family and party, I say thank you.

“To the judiciary, Osun has emerged as a moral compass, affirming the integrity of my lord justices.

“Your affirmation for truth and people’s will consolidates and strengthens our democracy. On behalf of the Osun people, we appreciate you, and we adore your love for justice and equity.

“To all stakeholders in the Osun project, be assured that the revalidation of our mandate is a challenge, a call to duty, a fresh demand for more dividends of democracy.

“I commit myself to an even more expanded delivery of good governance; in me, you will find a truly pro-people Governor.

“I seek the support and cooperation of all Osun residents and citizens irrespective of party affiliations. This is our state, and we must join hands to develop it.

“My special appreciation goes to my family, my brother, my sister. You are all my strong pillars of support.

“To all Imole and PDP supporters locally and internationally, our victory is validated. Thanks for standing by me.

“My dear good people of Osun State, the good job continues. We shall ramp up the implementation of our five points agenda. We shall, as usual, focus on grassroots development and infrastructural revival of our dear state.

“Our policies shall fight poverty, unemployment and under-development. You shall truly feel, taste and dividends of democracy.”

BACKGROUND

In July 2022, Adeleke defeated Oyetola to win the Osun governorship election.

Dissatisfied with the result, Oyetola approached the electoral tribunal.

In January, the Osun governorship election tribunal held that Oyetola proved that there was 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 Ademola Adeleke and give a fresh one to Oyetola as the duly elected governor of Osun.

Adeleke appealed the judgment and, in March, a court of appeal sitting in Abuja reinstated him, as the duly elected governor of the state.

Delivering judgment in the appeal filed by Adeleke, a three-member panel of justices held that the election tribunal erred when it ruled that the 1st and 2nd respondents (Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress) proved their allegation of over-voting.