The Election Petitions Tribunal hearing the All Progressives Congress’ Adegboyega Oyetola’s petition against the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Ademola Adeleke on Friday annulled the result of the July 16 Osun governorship poll.
Justice Tetsea Kume, while delivering a majority decision, declared that the Independent National Electoral Commission did not comply substantially with the constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
He subsequently deducted the over-voting observed from the votes scored by the candidates and declared that Oyetola won the election, having polled 314, 921, while Adeleke’s score came down to 290, 266.
Justice Kume directed INEC to withdraw Adeleke’s certificate of return and issue another one to Oyetola who won a majority of the lawful votes.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has described the judgement of the governorship tribunal as “a miscarriage of justice”, vowing to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Governor Adeleke, stated this while reacting to the Tribunal judgement at his country home in Ede.
The Governor who faulted the resolution of the over-voting question in favour of former Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, said it is an unfair interpretation against the will of majority of voters.
He, however, urged his supporters across the state and beyond to remain calm, just as he vowed to appeal the judgement at the Court of Appeal, insisting he remains the rightful winner of the July 16 election.
The Governor said, “I call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done. Let our people be reassured that we will do everything possible to retain this widely acclaimed mandate.”
