By Ayodele Oni
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have reacted to the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal for Osun state, which annulled the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke and declared former Governor Gboyega Oyetola as winner of last year’s July election.
In its reaction, APC congratulated Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, its candidate in the election on his victory at the Election Tribunal.
According to the party, the tribunal’s decision is an affirmation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s broad-based electoral reforms, which have seen the electoral umpire use more technology to expose over-voting and other election rigging methods.
In a statement issued Friday in Abuja, the party’s spokesman, Felix Morka, stated that the tribunal’s verdict represents a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
He described it as a categorical affirmation of the Osun electorate’s will as expressed at the polls.
“The peaceful conduct of the Osun governorship election and effective recourse procedures are eloquent testament to our Party’s commitment to bequeathing a legacy of credible elections, and independent and fair dispensation of electoral justice.
“The Tribunal’s findings and verdict on the pivotal question of over-voting yet again underscores the massive significance of the programme of electoral reform, and new and efficient technologies implemented by the APC-administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
The National Secretariat of the PDP, in its comment, rejected the judgement, describing it as an attempt to nullify the mandate freely given to it and its Candidate, Governor Adeleke by the people of Osun State in the July 16, 2022 Governorship election.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement in Abuja, on Friday said, “The judgment of the Tribunal is contrary to the Will of the people of Osun State which was expressed by the overwhelming votes cast for our Party and Candidate at the election.
“The July 16, 2022 Governorship election in Osun State was adjudged by Local and International Observers to be free, fair, transparent and clearly won by the PDP and our Candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke in confirmation of the wishes and aspiration of the people.
“The Will of the people of Osun State as expressed by electing Governor Adeleke must be respected. As a law-abiding Party, the PDP will explore all available legal means to restore the victory of our Party.
“The PDP charges the people of Osun State to be calm, remain at alert and continue to support Governor Adeleke as we restate our confidence in the Institution of the Judiciary to dispense justice in this matter at the Appellate Court.”
 and People's Democratic Party (PDP) have reacted to the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal for Osun state, which annulled the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke and declared former Governor Gboyega Oyetola as winner of last year's July election.){kind=link}