Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, said that the state’s immediate past governor, Gboyega Oyetola, has not yet congratulated him following his victory at the Appeal Court. Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday, Adeleke explained that he had tried to reach out to Oyetola after the court’s judgment, hoping to work together for the benefit of Osun. “Immediately after the news of the Appeal Court judgment, I called the former governor to let us forge ahead and move Osun forward, but up to now he has not called me to congratulate me,” he said. “I’m still hoping he will, because we have no other state than Osun. My hands are open; let’s come together and move Osun State forward.”
When pressed about his attempt to contact Oyetola, Adeleke corrected his earlier statement, clarifying that he had not actually called the former governor. “Let me correct it: I did not say I put a call to him. What I said is I’m still expecting him to call me so that he can congratulate me. If he chooses otherwise and goes to the Supreme Court, he has the right to do that,” he said, adding that he remains willing to work with Oyetola. He also expressed confidence that he is not afraid of the Supreme Court, noting that he has the support of his people and God.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, sitting last Friday, set aside the tribunal judgment that had nullified Adeleke’s election as governor. In a unanimous decision, a three‑member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal found Adeleke’s appeal against his removal by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to be meritorious. The court awarded N500,000 in costs against the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Oyetola. Justice Mohammed Shaibu emphasized that the burden of proof for alleged over‑voting rested on the petitioner and that a party alleging non‑compliance with the Electoral Act must prove its case without merely relying on the other party’s weaknesses.
By overturning the tribunal’s ruling, the appellate panel revoked the order that had withdrawn Adeleke’s Certificate of Return and issued it to Oyetola. The Court of Appeal therefore affirmed Adeleke as the authentic winner and governor of Osun State.
Comments are closed for this story.