There are indications that the defeated governor of Osun, Gboyega Oyetola, may be heading to the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the July 16 governorship election result in the State.
About 50 lawyers, including senior advocates, have been penciled down to challenge the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Ademola Adeleke, in the election.
A member of the governor’s legal team, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, dropped the hint during an interview with pressmen on Tuesday concerning the outcome of the guber poll.
Meanwhile, in its swift reaction, governor-elect Ademola Adegoke and its party PDP have warned the Independent National Electoral Commission not to allow the APC tamper with election materials.
The governor’s legal team has been perusing through the election results in preparation for taking legal action against the declaration of Adeleke as the governor-elect by the INEC.
INEC declared Adeleke governor-elect after polling 403,371 votes against APC’s 375,027, to emerge winner of the poll after a close contest.
According to the electoral umpire, Adeleke won in 17 local governments areas, while Oyetola finished first in 13 LGAs in Osun State.
After his opponent was declared the winner, the governor through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Ismaila Omipidan, told his supporters to remain calm, noting that he would respond after studying the results.
He said: “Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has taken cognizance of the results of the governorship election in the state as announced by INEC on Sunday.
“He, however, noted that the party would be responding appropriately after studying the results and consulting with critical stakeholders of the party.”
But a member of Oyetola’s legal team, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), told newsmen on Tuesday that they were still reviewing the results declared by INEC.
He said, “We are still reviewing documents and the legal team is working. In an election of this nature, the documents will be so many; so it is important to look at them critically before we make a decision and that is exactly what we are working on right now.
“Dr. Biodun Layonu (SAN) is the leader of the team. The legal team is not complete yet because there are several others that will still come in.
“In the meantime, the two members of the legal team we can reveal are Dr. Biodum Layonu and Kunle Adegoke. Others that may come in are people we may not know but as soon as we are ready to move, we will notify the press.
“The membership can’t be determined as many lawyers are interested in joining the team. You know election petition is a special case. So, we allow as many lawyers that are interested to come in. We may run into 50 or more members.”
Commenting on moves by the governor to contest the poll outcome at the election petition tribunal, the Media Adviser to the APC chairman in Osun State, Kola Olabisi, said whatever position was taken by Oyetola on the outcome of the election would also be the stand of the party. Olabisi disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday.
– Media Report