By Divine Nwakanma
It is now clear that the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal showed apparent bias in voiding the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke and declaring Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the election.
The tribunal, on Friday in Osogbo, annulled the result declared by the electoral commission (INEC), which gave victory in the 16 June 2022 election to Mr Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The tribunal directed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Mr Adeleke and his deputy, Kola Adewusi, both of whom had been sworn in.
The panel led by Justice Terste Kume directed that the certificate of return should instead be issued to Mr Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, a copy of the judgement obtained by Daily Review Online brought inferences into the written judgment that had nothing to do with the substance of the case.
Part of the judgement signed by T. A. Kume, chairman and Rabi Bashir, member 2, read: “Consequently the second respondents did not score the majority of lawful votes cast at the election. The declaration and return is hereby declared null, and void.
“The 2nd respondent cannot “go lo lo lo lo and buga won” as the duly elected Governor of Osun State in the election conducted on 16th day of July 2022. See Kizz Daniel Song, Buga. Rather we hereby hold that the 1st Petitioner scored scored a majority of lawful votes in the said election and thereby returned as such.” See below
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has described the judgement of the governorship tribunal as ” a miscarriage of justice”, vowing to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Reacting to the verdict of the Tribunal from his country home, Ede, Governor Adeleke faulted the resolution of the over-voting question in favour of Mr Oyetola, calling it ” an unfair interpretation against the will of majority of voters”
While urging his supporters to remain calm, Governor Adeleke vowed to appeal the judgement at the Court of Appeal, insisting he remains the rightful winner of the July 16 election.
“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”, Governor Adeleke declared.