The presidential candidate of the Congress of all progressives (APC), Bola Tinubu, congratulated the immediate former Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, on his victory in the Osun Election Petition Court.
A three-person electoral tribunal chaired by Judge Tertsea Kume on Friday in Osogbo, the capital of Osun state, ruled that Mr. Oyetola is the duly elected governor of the state and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue you a Certificate of Return.
The court declared null and void the result that cast Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) as governor.
However, a minority ruling upheld the mandate of Mr. Adeleke, who vowed to appeal the ruling that gave victory in the July 16, 2022 elections to Mr. Oyetola.
Pending the resolution of the appeal in the higher courts, Mr. Adeleke remains the governor of the state.
In a congratulatory message to Mr. Oyetola, Mr. Tinubu said his victory was deserved, describing it as a “triumph of courage and perseverance, and a light on the forces of darkness that sought to stop the progressive good governance that the administration of APC handed over to the people of Osun State under the leadership of Oyetola”.
This was stated by the APC presidential candidate in a statement signed by his press adviser, Tunde Rahman.
“I sincerely rejoice with Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola for his well-deserved victory in the Electoral Tribunal today. It is the victory of light over darkness. A triumph of perseverance, courage and justice over electoral fraud and democratic perversion.
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“The forces of darkness conspired to extinguish the able leadership and progressive good governance that improved the quality of life for our people under your leadership. But today, the Court handed down justice and restored the mandate freely granted to you and our great party.
“I am sure that the good work that he stood up for and that stopped momentarily will soon be resumed and the people of Osun will be happy again. And together we can renew their hope for shared prosperity.”
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has called on his supporters to remain calm and abide by the law, saying he will regain his mandate through the higher courts.
