- I’m heading to Supreme Court – Adeleke
There was wild jubilation in Osogbo, capital of Osun State on Thursday as Governor Gboyega Oyetola led members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to celebrate his victory at the Court of Appeal, which upheld his election as the governor of the state.
The election petition tribunal had a few months ago nullified Oyetola’s election, declaring Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the September 22, 2018 governorship poll.
Oyetola, who was spotted waving broom, the symbol of the APC inside his open roof Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) around Oke-fia moved in a long convoy to celebrate the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
Oyetola described the judgment as the long-awaited expectation of the generality of the people, saying the outcome of the case prompted the jubilation.
He contended that facts have been revealed already by the appellate court, stressing that he would not be surprised if the Senator Adeleke decide to approach the Supreme Court.
Oyetola averred that “this is the judgment that the people of Osun have been waiting for. I am happy and the judgement is wonderful. This is what people want to hear. They came out today without being prompted to rejoice and celebrate this judgment,” he said.
But Senator Adeleke has vowed to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court in Abuja.
He said, in a statement, that he is disappointed by the judgment, which reversed the judgment of the election tribunals, and upheld the petition he and his party filed against the outcome of the election.
Adeleke, representing Osun West Senatorial district, said: “I received with dissatisfaction the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the ruling of the election petition tribunal which had duly returned me as the validly elected governor of Osun State.
“I have subsequently instructed my counsel to prepare for an appeal against today’s judgment at the Supreme Court immediately.
“Today’s judgment relied on weak technical foundation. The substantive issue which formed the basis of the lower tribunal judgment was relegated to the background.
“We are reviewing the full ruling and action has already commenced to appeal the judgment and ensure the eventual retrieval of the stolen mandate.
“To the good people of Osun State, don’t be downcast. The struggle for good governance and retrieval of People’s mandate cannot be truncated by any flawed judgment. We are taking the legal battle further to the topmost court in the land. I am confident the apex court will upturn today’s unsustainable ruling.
“To all members of PDP in Osun State and my campaign Organisation, the struggle is now at the most critical stage.
“We cannot waiver nor slow down. We must forge ahead in high spirit until final victory is attained. In this endeavour, I promise to provide the leadership as the genuine governorship mandate holder in Osun State.
“My good people of Osun State, I know the pain and suffering you are passing through. The move to reclaim your mandate is still very much alive despite the jaundiced ruling of today.
“We will not abandon the mandate you freely conferred on us. We will deploy all legal means to retrieve the stolen mandate.
“I appreciate the massive support from home and abroad. We shall triumph at last.”
Nonetheless, the Osun State APC, in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Mr. Kunle Oyatomi, said the judgment has put to rest the boast of the PDP.