The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged that recent protests in the state, triggered by the Election Petition Tribunal’s decision to remove Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke, are being sponsored. The APC claims that these protests, purportedly funded by Adeleke and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), could potentially harm their case in the Appeal Court rather than contribute positively to it. In response, Dr. Akindele Adekunle, the acting chairman of the Osun PDP, argued that the protests reflect the people’s rejection of the tribunal’s verdict.
In a statement obtained in Osogbo on Sunday, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, the acting chairman of the Osun APC, expressed concern over the PDP’s choice to attack the judiciary simply because the tribunal’s ruling did not favor them. He emphasized that it is within the fundamental human rights of individuals to seek redress from the Court of Appeal instead of resorting to violent protests in various towns across the state. Lawal further asserted that, based on the tribunal’s ruling, it is illegal for Adeleke to claim any mandate, as the authentic election results from the July 16, 2022, governorship election clearly indicate that the PDP candidate does not possess a legitimate mandate.
Lawal also pointed out that the issue of over-voting, which the tribunal identified as the basis for Adeleke’s initial declaration as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), constitutes unfair play. He warned that if this matter is not addressed, it could set a dangerous precedent for democracy in the state.
In his reaction to the APC’s claims, Adekunle stated that the protests serve as evidence that the people of Osun have rejected what he referred to as the “Buga verdict.” He described the demonstrations in support of Governor Adeleke as spontaneous and a direct response to attempts to undermine a popular mandate. Adekunle asserted that the citizens of Osun have collectively voiced their disapproval of what they perceive as a flawed ruling, stating, “Nobody celebrated the evil ruling. Across towns and villages, Osun people voluntarily rejected a bunch of electoral armed robbers.” He concluded by suggesting that the APC’s anger stems from their lack of popular support.
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