By Deborah Onyofufeke and Cross Udo, Abuja
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who won his final victory for staying in office at the Supreme Court, yesterday dedicated his victory to God.
Reacting to the judgment in his hometown, Ede, Adeleke promised that he will continue to govern with fear of God and ensure the implementation of his five-point agenda.
He said, “This is a historic landmark in the history of Osun politics. Today is the day our God ordained to stand his authority as the owner and giver of power.
“Today is that moment when the will of the people ordained by God survived the anti-masses plot of powerful forces. We, therefore, celebrate God almighty. We dedicate today’s victory to Him. State power is of God and he bestowed it on whoever he wishes. I will remain God’s driven, divinely inspired, I will govern with the fear of God. Our governorship is an affirmation that we are for the people, by the people.
“As a moral compass, affirming the integrity of my lord justice, your affirmation for the truth and people’s will, consolidate and strengthen our democracy. On behalf of the Osun people, we appreciate you and adore your love for justice and equity.
“To all stakeholders in the Osun project, be assured that the revalidation of our mandate is a challenge, a call to duty, a fresh demand for more dividends of democracy. I commit myself to more expanded delivery of good governance, in me, you will find a true pro-people governor.
“I seek the support of all Osun residents and citizens, in respective party affiliations. This is our state and we must join hands to develop it. My appreciation goes to my family. My wives, Titi and Ngozi, and children. To all Imole in Nigeria and abroad. Thank you for standing by me. I want to thank my brother and sister.
“My people of Osun State, the good job continues, we wrap up the implementation of our five points agenda. We shall focus on grassroots development. We shall embark on the agricultural revival of our dear state.
“Our policies shall fight poverty, insecurity, unemployment, and underdevelopment. You shall truthfully feel and enjoy the dividend of democracy.”
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court affirmed Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the validly-elected governor of Osun State.
The apex court, in its lead judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, dismissed an appeal lodged against Adeleke’s election victory by the former governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court held that though Oyetola alleged that Adeleke won through over-voting that occurred in 774 polling units in the state, 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.
“It is glaring that the appellant did not provide in evidence, any BVAS, but sought to prove over-voting using a report of examination of INEC’s database or backend server”.
The apex court held that since it was not in dispute that the BVAS contained a record of accredited voters, “it is, therefore, the only direct and primary record of voters accredited at polling units on Election Day.”
It held that nothing in either Section 47 of the Electoral Act 2022 or Regulations 18- 23 of the INEC’s Regulations, made it mandatory for Presiding Officers in an election to transmit by BVAS, the number of accredited voters in each polling unit to the backend server.
The court also dismissed evidence of purported expert witnesses that testified in Oyetola’s favour.
The apex court said it found no reason to set aside the verdict of the Court of Appeal which upheld Adeleke’s election victory.
Recall that the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had on January 27, in a split decision, voided the declaration of Adeleke of the PDP as the winner of the election.
The Justice Tertsea Kume-led three-member panel tribunal, in its majority verdict, upheld a petition that was brought before it by the former governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC, who came second in the election.
It held that Adeleke did not score the majority of lawful votes, adding that the conduct of the election was not in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
According to the tribunal, the petitioners, Oyetola and APC, successfully established that there was overvoting in 744 polling units in the state.
After deducting the said invalid votes, the tribunal declared Oyetola as the winner of the governorship contest, even as it directed the INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return it earlier issued to Adeleke.
However, in his dissenting judgment, the third member of the panel, Justice P. Ogbuli, affirmed Adeleke as the valid winner of the election, even as he struck out the petition that was lodged by Oyetola and the APC.
*Buhari urges support for gov as Tinubu sends congratulatory message
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged all citizens and residents of Osun State, particularly her notable sons, and daughters, to give the government of Senator Ademola Adeleke all the support it needs to ensure that programmes, policies, plans, and aspirations fashioned to make individuals and businesses flourish succeed.
Also, the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, has congratulated Governor Adeleke on his victory at the Supreme Court, urging him to now move quickly to unite the state.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said he recognised the Supreme Court’s verdict on the July 16, 2022 governorship election in the state, as well as the important role of the judiciary in deepening the rule of law and democracy.
According to the statement, “With the final decision by the court, the president reminds the political class and their supporters that the main task at hand is to make the people feel the impact of good governance, where a prosperous, peaceful, and stable Osun is guaranteed.
“He, therefore, urges all citizens and residents of the state, particularly her notable sons and daughters, to give the government of Senator Ademola Adeleke all the support it needs to ensure that programmes, policies, plans, and aspirations fashioned to make individuals and businesses flourish succeed.”
He added, “Elections should be seen as the path to an end, which is the progress of the people in a peaceful environment, rather than unending bickering. This is the time for inclusion and harmony in the State at the end of litigation.”
The president thanked the people of Osun for contributing immensely to the development of the nation, particularly through the state’s rich cultural heritage, several historic sites, and tourist attractions, including the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
He expressed the trust that the government will continue to develop the boundless resources in the ‘State of the Living Spring’, complementing the roles of the government at the Centre of national development and prosperity.
Also, Tinubu, said with the final court in the land giving its verdict on the Osun governorship tussle, all must respect the judgment.
He also commended the immediate-past governor of the state, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, for discharging himself creditably during his first term and for deepening democracy by pursuing his democratic rights peacefully to the end.
In a statement on Tuesday by his office, the President-elect said: “I congratulate Mr. Ademola Adeleke over his declaration by the Supreme Court as the winner of the Osun governorship election.
“The apex court in the land has spoken and all of us must obey its verdict. It is the right thing to do for democracy and the rule of law to continue to thrive in the land.
“I must also commend the immediate-past governor of the state, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, for exercising his democratic rights as the constitution allows him to do.
“Oyetola discharged himself creditably in office. He lost the office but did not lose his integrity and reputation as the governor who brought efficiency, transparency, and accountability to the business of governance.
“Now that the matter of July 16, 2022, Osun State Governorship Election has been brought to a close, I urge Governor Adeleke to immediately settle down to work and continue from where the former governor left it. He should now move to unite the state. I also urge all the people of Osun to work for peace and progress in the state.”
*PDP’s reaction
The PDP has also congratulated Adeleke on his victory at the Supreme Court.
The PDP said Adeleke’s victory is a confirmation of its popularity and commitment to Nigeria.
The party tweeted: “Breaking News! The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke @AAdeleke_01 of the @OfficialPDPNig as the winner of the July 16, 2022, Osun State gubernatorial election.
“This victory is a confirmation of our party’s popularity in Nigeria and commitment to nation-building. Congratulations to him, the people of Osun State, and the entire PDP family.”
