Oyetola congratulates Adeleke, describes s’court verdict as ‘loss and victory’ for APC

Gboyega Oyetola, former Osun governor, says he has accepted the ruling of the supreme court which upheld the election of Ademola Adeleke as the state governor.

TheCable had reported how a five-member panel of the supreme court held that the court of appeal correctly reinstated Adeleke as governor.

In a statement on Tuesday, the former governor said he accepts the ruling in the interest of peace and development of the state.

Oyetola, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, also asked the party’s supporters to accept the verdict as the will of God.

“We strongly believe we presented a good case before the Supreme Court but the Court thought otherwise and has given its verdict. While the outcome is against our wish and that of our party members and supporters, we are all bound to accept it as law-abiding citizens,” he said.

“To our members and supporters across the State, I urge you all to accept the verdict of the Court and move on. The present situation is a win-win for us. It’s both a loss and victory rolled into one. While we lost Osun technically, we gained Nigeria.”

While he prayed for prosperity for Adeleke’s government, Oyetola urged him to deliver good governance to the people.

“To the Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory at the Supreme Court. While I pray for your tenure to be prosperous for our people and the State, I urge you to focus on the delivery of good governance,” he said.

“Politics aside, time has come to let you know that the interest of the masses must be most paramount without any restriction or discrimination whether based on political persuasion, creed or religion.

“Whatever personal differences we have must give way to the advancement of our great State. The security of Osun people must be guaranteed regardless of their religious and political affiliations. I pray for peace and progress in your tenure.”

OSUN APC: WE WILL KEEP ADELEKE ON HIS TOES

Tajudeen Lawal, the acting APC chairman in Osun, said the party has also accepted the verdict despite its displeasure.

The Osun APC said it will keep to its opposition role in the state and not cease keeping the governor on his toes.

“While we are congratulating the beneficiary of the judgment, we make bold to state that we shall not be found wanting in playing our expected opposition roles to keep the government on its toes. The members and supporters of our party should refuse to be downcast with the current political situation in the state as the nature of politics is that one does not win all the time,” the statement reads.

“The prevailing condition of the winner(s) of today does not make him the perpetual winner, as the political office which was contested for is a tenured one for a period of four years after which we shall have the opportunity to slug it out with those who are rejoicing over today’s victory.

“It is however, worthwhile to state that our party and our candidate, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, might have lost the election as it was pronounced by the apex court of the land, but it is visible to the court of the public that they never lost the battle.

“That Osun State is a common patrimony is the reason we are assuring the PDP and the government that we shall be meeting in the trenches when it is constitutionally ripe to do so. The way forward for our party shall be made available to the esteemed members and supporters soonest.”