The hope of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the Osun Election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, was finally thwarted by the Supreme Court on Friday. Adegboyega Oyetola sits pretty and tight as the validly elected Governor.
In a majority decision of five-to-two, read by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, the court held that the failure of a member of the election tribunal, Justice Peter Obiora to sit on February 6, 2019 rendered the entire proceedings and the judgment given by the tribunal a nullity.
The court upheld the majority judgment of the Court of Appeal over the victory of Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Swiftly, President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated Governor Gboyega Oyetola adding: “The decision of the apex court lays to rest the tussle over the governorship of Osun State and removes all encumbrances on the path of the governor from fully delivering dividends of democracy to the good people of the State.”
In a statement, he commended the government and people of Osun in allowing the rule of law to run its entire course, urging them as well as security agencies to sustain the peace.
He calls on the victorious governor and the ruling All Progressives Congress party to be magnanimous in victory and make concrete moves towards inclusive governance as may be necessary.
President Buhari also expresses the Federal Government’s continued willingness to partner with the State Government for the betterment of the people going forward.
Atiku, on his part, stood by Adeleke, and the of Osun, noting that though the legal case is over, the love, acceptance and endorsement that the people of Osun bestowed on both Senator Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party is not over and cannot be overlooked.
He adds: “Those who think this is the end of the road for Senator Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun, are greatly mistaken. This is not the end. Not even the beginning of the end. No. Today marks the continued ascendancy of Senator Adeleke and his party in the hearts and minds of his people.
“They had expected that the progress and development that the Adeleke family had consistently brought to Osun will be translated to their governance. That hope is not dead. Only delayed.
“I extend my right hand of brotherhood to Senator Adeleke in all his future endeavours and I assure the good people of the state of Osun that the Peoples Democratic Party remembers their love and acceptance and will never forget to stand by them no matter the situation.
“Finally, I urge the nation’s judiciary to take a pulse of the nation and reflect it. In their hands, God has placed a great responsibility. The duty to ensure that justice is done, irrespective of the pressure to do otherwise, by the powers that be”.