Following the Friday judgment of the Osun State Election Tribunal, which removed Governor Ademola Adeleke from office and declared former Governor Gboyega Oyetola the winner of the July 16, 2022, governorship election, several student bodies have expressed their opposition to this development. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D, issued a statement signed by its Deputy Coordinator, Alao John, in which they condemned the tribunal’s ruling. Echoing Governor Adeleke’s sentiments, the student body described the judgment as a “miscarriage of justice.”
NANS further alleged that some prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had previously boasted about their confidence in winning the tribunal case, claiming they had the backing of federal influence. The statement highlighted a troubling trend in Nigeria, where the truth often succumbs to the manipulations of powerful individuals. Additionally, it was noted that out of the three judgments that were supposed to be read, only two were presented, with one supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Despite these concerns, the South-West student body urged the people of Osun to remain calm and law-abiding.
In a separate response, the Osun State National Association of University Students (NAUS) Campus Monitoring Committee threatened to stage protests against the tribunal’s judgment. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Eruobami Ayobami, NAUS asserted that the tribunal’s decision was contrary to the will of the students. They reaffirmed their commitment to opposing any individual or decision that undermines justice and equity, warning that they would not hesitate to organize mass protests against such actions. NAUS emphasized that the leadership of their union in the state is dedicated to defending students’ rights at all times.
Reactions to the tribunal’s ruling have been mixed. While stakeholders in the APC have praised the judgment, members of the PDP have expressed outrage, with Adeleke vowing to appeal the ruling. The tribunal, led by Justice Tertse Like, annulled the election results in 744 polling units due to over-voting and subsequently ordered that the certificate of return be issued to Oyetola, effectively removing Adeleke from office.
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