Oyetola hails tribunal, says judgement collective victory

The immediate past governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, has described the verdict of election petition tribunal which validated his victory in the July 16, 2022, governorship election in the state as a collective victory for the state and the country’s democracy.

Oyetola, while speaking with newsmen in his country home, Iragbiji, on Friday, said there was no victor, no vanquished.

“There is no victor, no vanquished. It is a collective victory for our state and our nation’s democracy.

“I am happy that the judgment had resolved the controversy of July 16th 2022 governorship election.

“INEC is the greatest beneficiary of the judgment. It will afford them the opportunity to look at all the anomalies and make necessary adjustments to prevent such mistakes now that the general elections are coming.

“I thank the people of the state and supporters for standing by us, for their courage and loyalty. I want to assure them that we are ready to continue to serve them,” he said.

READ ALSO: APC, PDP, INEC differ on Osun tribunal judgement

There was a wild jubilation in Iragbiji following the tribunal judgement, with large numbers of residents jubilating over the verdict.

It would be recalled that the election petition tribunal nullified the election of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Tertsea Kume, while reading the judgement said the election was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act.

Kume said there was over-voting in 774 polling units in 10 LGAs in the state.

He said it was the duty of the tribunal to deduct the valid votes cast from the over-voting.

He said after the deduction of valid votes scored by candidates from the observed over-voting, Oyetola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 314,931, while Adeleke polled 290,266 votes

Kume directed INEC to retrieve the Certificate of Return issued to Adeleke as the elected governor.

Meanwhile, Adeleke said he would appeal the judgement which he described as a miscarriage of justice.

The Star