Victor Ezeja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Adegboyega Oyetola for his victory at the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal.
The Tribunal in its judgment on Friday voided the election of Ademola Adeleke as governor and declared Oyetola, a former governor of the Southwest State as the winner and should be returned.
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Oyetola contested on the platform of the APC and came second in the governorship race as then declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Tribunal chaired by Justice Tertse Kume, ruled that there was over-voting in some polling units across the State and therefore, annulled the result declared by the INEC where Adeleke emerged winner in the July 16 2022 governorship election.
The Tribunal subsequently directed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return from Adeleke and be issued to Oyetola.
Reacting to the judgement, the APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the verdict of the Tribunal represents a victory for democracy and rule of law in the country.
Morka further remarked that the ruling affirms the will of the “Osun electorate as expressed at the polls.”
He said the peaceful atmosphere under which the election was conducted, shows the party’s “commitment to bequeathing a legacy of credible elections, and independent and fair dispensation of electoral justice.”
The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, our Party faithful, and the good people of Osun State on the resounding victory at the Election Tribunal earlier today.
“The Tribunal’s verdict represents victory for democracy and the rule of law. It is a categorical affirmation of the will of the Osun electorate as expressed at the polls.
“The peaceful conduct of the Osun governorship election and effective recourse procedures are eloquent testament to our Party’s commitment to bequeathing a legacy of credible elections, and independent and fair dispensation of electoral justice.”
Morka noted that the tribunal ruling based on evidence of over-voting has further underscored the significance of the deployment of technology in the conduct of election such as use of Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BIVAS), implemented under the current APC administration.
“The Tribunal’s findings and verdict on the pivotal question of over-voting yet again underscores the massive significance of the programme of electoral reform, and new and efficient technologies implemented by the APC-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Again, congratulations to the triumphant people of Osun State,” Morka stated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
