Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in
the 2018 governorship election in Osun State, said he had instructed
his counsels to challenge the appeal court judgement, which upheld Gov. Gboyega Oyetola’s election at the Supreme Court.
Adeleke, in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on
Thursday, said he received the appeal court judgement with
dissatisfaction.
According to him, the judgment of the appeal court relied on weak
technical foundation, while the substantive issue, which formed the
basis of the lower tribunal judgement was relegated to the background.
“I received with dissatisfaction the judgement of the Court of Appeal
on the ruling of the election petition tribunal, which had duly
returned me as the validly elected governor of Osun state.
“I have subsequently instructed my counsel to prepare for an appeal against today’s judgement at the Supreme Court immediately.
“Today’s judgement relied on weak technical foundation.
“The substantive issue which formed the basis of the lower tribunal judgement was relegated to the background.
“We are reviewing the full ruling and action has already commenced to
appeal the judgement and ensure the eventual retrieval of the stolen
mandate,” Adeleke said.
He, however, urged the people of the state not to be downcast, saying
that the struggle for good governance and retrieval of People’s mandate
cannot be truncated by any flawed judgement.
“We are taking the legal battle further to the topmost court in the
land. I am confident the apex court will upturn today’s unsustainable
ruling.
“To all members of PDP in Osun State and my campaign organisation, the struggle is now at the most critical stage.
“We cannot waiver nor slow down. We must forge ahead in high spirit until final victory is attained.
“In this endeavour, I promise to provide the leadership as the genuine governorship mandate holder in Osun State” Adeleke said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Abuja Division of
the Court of Appeal nullified the judgment of the Osun State
Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
The tribunal had in its verdict of Friday, March 22, 2019, declared
the PDP and its candidate, Sen. Adeleke, the winner of the Sept. 22,
2018 polls.However, Justice Jummai Sankey, read the lead judgment of the Court
of Appeal on Thursday. Justices Abubakar Yahaya, Isaiah Akeju and Bitrus
Sanga agreed with the lead verdict.
A fifth member of the appellate court, Justice Ita Mbaba, disagreed
and upheld the election tribunal’s verdict that gave the victory to
Adeleke.
