By Ayodele Oni

In a spirit of sportsmanship, the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke over his victory at the Supreme Court in Abuja.

The party, in a statement, said it received the verdict of the Supreme Court which affirmed Ademola Adeleke’s victory with equanimity and placidity, bearing in mind that in a contest, someone must emerge the winner.

It however said: “While we are congratulating the beneficiary of the judgement, we make bold to state that we shall not be found wanting in playing our expected opposition roles in order to keep the government on its toes.”

The state Acting Chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, was quoted in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, that the Supreme Court decisions are final which cannot be challenged in any other court of the land.

Lawal pointed out that as a democratic political body that solely believes in the rule of law, there is no way that we can fault the judgement of the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the land even though we are not happy with the judicial decision.

According to the statement: “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 doesn’t win all the times.

“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 why we are assuring the PDP and the government that we shall be meeting in the trenches when it’s constitutionally ripe to do so.”

By Ayodele Oni

Osun state Governor, Ademola Adeleke has described the Supreme Court’s judgment which affirmed his victory at the July 16, 2022, governorship election as confirmation of the will of the masses, assuring that the good works will continue.

Reacting to the court’s judgment, on Tuesday in Osogbo, Adeleke said that the panel of justices only revalidated the will of the people, ordained by God.

The governor, who commended the judiciary for the landmark judgment, said ” Osun had emerged as a moral compass, affirming the integrity of my Lord justices.

“Today is the day our good God ordained to stamp His authority as the owner and giver of power.

“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.

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

“I must therefore express my heartfelt appreciation to great people of Osun for your deep support and 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. On behalf of Osun people, we appreciate you and we adore your love for justice and equity.”

Adeleke assured stakeholders in Osun that the revalidation of his mandate was a challenge, a call to duty, a fresh demand for more dividends of democracy.

He also sought for the support and cooperation of Osun residents and citizens, irrespective of party affiliations.

” My dear good people of Osun, the good job continues and we shall ramp up the implementation of our five point agenda.

” We shall focus as usual on grassroot development and infrastructural revival of our dear state. Our policies shall fight poverty, insecurity, unemployment and underdevelopment.You shall truly feel, taste and enjoy dividends of democracy.”

By Ayodele Oni

President Muhammadu Buhari has preached that peace and harmony should now return to Osun state with the completion of electoral processes, and Supreme Court verdict which affirmed the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

This was contained n a press statement on Tuesday by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman to congratulate Adeleke over the Supreme Court Judgement.

The statement reads, “President Muhammadu Buhari recognizes the Supreme Court’s verdict on the July 16, 2022 governorship election in Osun State, as well the important role of the judiciary in deepening rule of law and democracy.

“With the final decision by the Court, the President reminds the political class and their supporters that the main task at hand is to make the people feel the impact of good governance, where a prosperous, peaceful and stable Osun is guaranteed.

“He, therefore, urges all citizens and residents of the State, particularly her notable sons and daughters, to give the government of Senator Ademola Adeleke all the support it needs to ensure that programmes, policies, plans and aspirations fashioned to make individuals and businesses flourish succeed.

“Elections should be seen as the path to an end, which is the progress of the people in a peaceful environment, rather than unending bickering.

“This is the time for inclusion and harmony in the State at the end of litigation.

“President Buhari thanks the people of Osun for contributing immensely to the development of the nation, particularly through the State’s rich cultural heritage, the several historic sites and tourist attractions, including the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“The President trusts that the Government will continue to develop the boundless resources in the State of the Living Spring, complementing the roles of the government at the Centre on national development and prosperity.”

By Ayodele Oni

While reading the judgement, Justice Emmanuel Agim also  held that the Court of Appeal correctly set aside the decision of the Tribunal as there is no way Oyetola could depend on only the information of the back end server and not look into the voters register which forms a foundation of the electoral process in any polling unit.

The Apex Court held that the respondents findings in the issues of BVAS was that there was over voting in only six polling units which didn’t affect the emergence of Ademola Adeleke as the Governor-elect.

The Court, while dismissing the Appeal on Adeleke’s qualifications held that the Oyatola’s appeal collapsed for failure to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt as it is not enough to point out issues of certified documents without making findings to back up the claims.

Supreme Court: Adeleke victory, justice prevailed over falsehood …S’West PDP

In a congratulatory message, the PDP South west zone, described the Supreme Court ruling validating the election of Adeleke as the validly elected Governor of Osun State as a triumph of people’s mandate over falsehood.

The PDP South West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Sanya Atofarati in a press statement, lauded the judiciary as the last hope of the common man by the historic judgement, which has clearly demistified the lies and falsehood of the APC.

“The Supreme Court ruling confirming Senator Ademola Adeleke as the validly elected Governor of Osun State during the July 16, 2022 governorship election in the state was a clear indication that judiciary has once again proved to be the last hope of the common man as the judgement indicated that Senator Adeleke won the election fair and square.

“The good people of Osun State should be commended for their steadfastness and unalloyed love for the PDP and their governor as and demonstrated uncommon support for PDP against open display of intimidation, harrassment and violence as recorded in the last few months.

“The PDP thus viewed the historic victory of Governor Adeleke as a triumph of people’s mandate over falsehood perpetrated by the APC in 2018 leading to the installation of an impostor and unpopular governor.

“But the vulture is a patient bird, such that the table turned around four years after when Governor Adeleke’s stolen mandate was recovered.

“The South West hereby felicitates with Governor Adeleke for his doggedness, tenacity and will power praying that the light that he represents will illuminate  in Osun and eliminate the dark alley of maladministration unleashed on the good people of Osun State in the past 12 years

“It is our sincere hope that the judiciary will in the like manner correct the illegality perpetrated by INEC in the Presidential election at the ongoing Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”