There was spontaneous jubilation across major parts of Osun State on Friday after the Election Petition Tribunal declared Senator Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the September 22, 2018 governorship election in the state.
In a judgement in which one of the three judges had different opinion, the three-man tribunal upheld the petitions filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke and the PDP, challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Gboyega Oyetola at the September 2018 governorship election.
The Tribunal sat in Abuja.
Following the judgement of the Tribunal, Senator Adeleke’s supporters and well-wishers gathered at the residence of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, to celebrate amid drumming and dancing.
Some supporters were also seen at different strategic locations in Ede celebrating the victory.
In her reaction, Senator Adeleke’s sister, Mrs Dupe Adeleke, dedicated her brother’s victory to their late brother, Isiaka.
She also commended the judiciary for its courage in adjudicating with fear of God, saying it was clear that the judiciary was functioning as it should.
“We are very happy for the judgment; we appreciate the people of Osun, especially Ede for their love, support and steadfastness,” Dupe said.
“Today’s judgement is an indication that judiciary can save the nation from imminent trouble. I know my late brother would be very happy in the grave. I dedicate this victory to God and to my late brother.”
Earlier, the tribunal had dismissed a preliminary objection against the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator Adeleke, challenging the outcome of the governorship election in the state.
The preliminary objection was filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the election, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue Adeleke with the certificate of return.
The Chairman of the tribunal differed from the two and upheld Oyetola’s election.
PDP and Adeleke had asked the tribunal to declare that he polled the highest lawful votes and should be declared the winner.
But Oyetola, APC and INEC had filed their notices of preliminary objection contending among others that the petition was incompetent and that the court lacked jurisdiction.
The tribunal’s majority verdict also held that the supplementary election by INEC in seven cancelled units on Sept. 22,2018, was null and void.
The tribunal ruled that the Returning Officer who cancelled the results had no power to do so
The tribunal had earlier dismissed the objections of the APC and Oyetola. It said Adeleke’s petition has merit.
The two-man majority also declared the rerun election as illegal.
Delivering the ruling, Chairman Ibrahim Sirajo, held that the objections were misconceived and struck them out.
The Tribunal held that the CTC should and must be an exact replica of the EC8A pink copies.
The discrepancies must therefore be explained and justified by INEC.
In this instance, the tribunal held, INEC failed to explain nor justify the alterations and that they failed to call any witness to justify the alterations.
The tribunal held that the attempt to explain the alterations on the basis of mere corrections of errors is not acceptable and the fact that the said errors were consistently made in the disputed areas means it was a deliberate action taken.
The Rainbow with online reports
