The Former Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola has congratulated his successor, Ademola Adeleke over the Supreme Court judgment that upheld his victory as Governor of the State.
Following the governorship election held on July 16, Oyetola had dragged Adeleke before the Election Petition Tribunal.
Oyetola had alleged that Adeleke won through over-voting that occurred in 774 polling units in the state governorship election held on July 16, 2022.
He, however, failed to produce any Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, BVAS, a machine that was used in any of the polling units to prove his allegation.
The tribunal had upheld the argument of Oyetola, ruling that Adeleke did not win the lawful majority votes and declared Oyetola as the winner. However, the Court of Appeal reversed the lower court’s decision affirming the victory of Adeleke as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Also, the Supreme Court further affirmed the victory of Adeleke as duly elected Governor of the State.
Oyetola in a statement personally signed by him, and made available to journalists by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, said although the verdict of the Apex Court was against the wish of his party’s members and supporters, he accepted it in the interest of peace and development of the State.
“I remain committed to the growth and development of Osun. I will therefore continue to work with well-meaning citizens of Osun, associations and institutions to facilitate the development to our dear State. Similarly, I urge all citizens of Osun to continue to exhibit the Omoluabi ethos and uphold the dreams of our forebears for the State, irrespective of party affiliations.
“To the Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory at the Supreme Court. While I pray for your tenure to be prosperous for our people and the State, I urge you to focus on the delivery of good governance.
“Politics aside, the time has come to let you know that the interest of the masses must be most paramount without any restriction or discrimination whether based on political persuasion, creed, or religion. Whatever personal differences we have must give way to the advancement of our great State.
The security of the Osun people must be guaranteed regardless of their religious and political affiliations. I pray for peace and progress in your tenure,” Oyetola added.
