The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the January 27 ruling by the election petitions tribunal on the Osun State governorship election.
A three-member panel led by Justice Tertsea Kume had on that day nullified the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 16, 2022 governorship election in the state.
The panel declared the immediate past governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, as the winner of the election and ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return given to Adeleke and issued the same to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
In the Notice of Appeal dated January 30, 2023, filed at the Court of Appeal, Akure, the commission listed 44 grounds of appeal and urged the court to set aside the tribunal’s judgement.
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The Osun State Police Command has warned members of the public to desist from the sale and abuse of the Naira notes.
In a press statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola and obtained by 𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆, he stated that the move was in compliance with the Federal Government’s policy and the directive of Usman Baba Alkali, the Inspector General of Police. Watch Video Here
The warning, which was targeted at Point Of Sales (POS) operators and filling stations, advised that such acts should be jettisoned because the Command had emplaced an Intelligence Unit to arrest and subsequently prosecute such individuals or groups engaged in the sale or abuse of Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Watch Video Here
He said, “In compliance with the Federal Government’s policy and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba’s directives to uphold the provisions of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 and dignify Nigeria’s currency, the Osun Police Command is using this medium to warn members of the public who are into this unethical behaviour, especially Point of Sales (POS) operators and Filling Stations to jettison such, as the police Command has emplaced an Intelligence unit of the Command to arrest and subsequently prosecute such individuals or groups engaged in the sale or abuse of the Naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The Commissioner of Police has equally directed the Area Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers to carry out full enforcement of the provisions of Sections 20 and 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 which criminalizes amongst other things, the hawking, selling, trading, spraying, matching, falsifying or counterfeiting of bank notes, refusal to accept the Naira as a means of payment, tampering with the Naira notes issued by the CBN.” Watch Video Here
The statement also enjoined members of the public to cooperate with the police to ensure that violators were brought to book and prosecuted.
On Friday, February 3, 2023, operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arrested the Operations Manager of First City Monument Bank, Osogbo for deliberately sabotaging the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) from dispensing the redesigned Naira notes to members of the public. Watch Video Here
On the same day in Osogbo, the anti-corruption agency also arrested seven POS operators and the security guard of a bank for selling the redesigned Naira notes to members of the public.
Most POS operators within Osogbo, the State capital, charge N100 for N1,000 instead of the N100 for N5,000 that was obtainable before the redesigned Naira notes became scarce.
The POS operators said they pay heavily in order to get the redesigned Naira notes from banks.
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State have traded words regarding the achievements of Governor Ademola Adeleke-led since his assumption to power.
Adeleke was sworn in as the State Governor in November last year, after being declared winner in the governorship election held in July of the same year.
However, Elections Petitions Tribunal in the state had invalidated the election on the ground of over-voting and declared Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC as the authentic winner.
The APC state chairman,Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement in Osogbo on Monday accused the Adeleke administration of plans to loot the state treasury.
He also accused Adeleke-led administration of re-commissioning projects already completed by the Oyetola-led administration.
Lawal said: “We are aware that the current government has concluded plans to fleece the state of its resources through re-commissioning of projects the previous government of the APC had already installed for public use.
“Specifically, the Adeleke administration is desperate to shore up its hugely kwashiorkored image by repainting some of the legacy public schools and primary health centres built by the Administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.”
However, Director of Media of Osun PDP, Oladele Olabamiji, who reacted to the development, said APC was surprised by the achievements recorded by Adeleke so far.
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Olabamiji accused the opposition of making needless noise having lost its mandate during the polls.
He said, “It is permitted for the party to make noise. They are surprised that an administration can set for itself developmental agenda within 100 days. We are not bothered by their noise. They have been doing this since the 100 days agenda was made public.
“Our major concern is to ensure that our people get value for their mandate which they surrender to Governor Adeleke. The APC is free to embark on their propaganda.”
The Osun State Amotekun Corps Commander, Brig Gen Bashir Adewinmbi (Rtd), has said that three suspects who specialise in looting at construction sites have been arrested by his men.
Adewinmbi told journalists in Osogbo on Monday that the suspects were arrested in Iragbiji in Boripe LGA.
He said, “Two of the suspects were caught and arrested on Friday afternoon while removing aluminium glass window frames at a construction site on Egbeda-Iragbiji Road in Iragbiji.
“The third person was later arrested in the early hours of Saturday at his house in Iragbiji based on the confession of his gang members.”
The Amotekun commander added that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to involvement in stealing building materials from construction sites for a long time.
He further said that, “They added that they have robbed many construction sites and houses in Iragbiji town and its environs.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) did not fail during the last Osun State governorship election.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this in an interview with reporters while monitoring the BVAS mock accreditation exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday.
𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 reports that the Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal had sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke for over-voting at over 700 polling units in the 16 July 2022 governorship election in the state.
Speaking on the matter for the first time, Yakubu who clarified that the BVAS machine was not on trial as being insinuated in some quarters, however said the commission had learnt some lessons from the judgement.
According to him, though it is improper to comment on the matter as it is still in court, the commission would use the lessons learnt from the Osun judgement to improve the process for the general elections.
“The BVAS never failed anywhere and as you have seen here, the machine actually never failed. I wouldn’t like to comment on a matter in court as it is subjudice but in every situation, the commission learns and carries the experience from what has happened to improving the processes for the next election. We have learnt some lessons from what happened and one of the lessons is to be able to transmit the accreditation data.
“During this mock exercise, we have assembled result sheets that will transmit the accreditation data but there is no results sheets here because people have not voted. So on the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal, we have created a new URL for those of you that are on the IReV portal. And if you go home after 2.30pm, you will see the result of the mock transmitted from the 437 polling units (PUs) nationwide, including the details of accreditation and we are going to transmit both the results on election day and the accreditation figures so that the two will rhyme,” Yakubu said.
He said the commission has given Nigerians assurance that on election day, both the accredited data and the actual votes cast will be transmitted simultaneously and accurately.
On the mock accreditation, Yakubu described the process as seamless, saying the commission decided to conduct the exercise to further test the integrity of the machines that would be deployed on election day.
The polling units visited by the INEC chairman were PU018, Post office, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Area 10, and PU03, Near Chief Palace, Bwari Council Area.
Worried over the biting fuel scarcity in Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced the composition of a Special Monitoring Team to look into the deepening distribution and pricing challenges.
The Special Monitoring team according to a statement signed by Olawale Rasheed, the Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor is to be headed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Kazeem Akinleye with members drawn from the Nigeria Police, DSS, Army, IPMAN, NLC, TDU.
The statement also revealed that the team is to immediately commence monitoring the distribution of PMS from point of delivery by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to various discharge outlets in Osun State.
While expressing unhappiness about the hardship facing the people of the state, Governor Adeleke assured that the state government will support federal agencies and private sector operators to address the issues behind the continued fuel scarcity in the state.
“I urge the Monitoring Team to liaise with the major marketers for collaboration with the independent marketers to ensure that products are circulated across the state.
“We will look into this fuel scarcity. We can’t fold our arms with our people facing so much hardship”, Governor Adeleke assured.
𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 had reported the resurgence of queues in fuel stations across the state particularly in the capital, Osogbo.
Many fuel stations have had to lock up since there was no product to sell and those with the product were forced to sell at exorbitant amounts.
Car owners, both private and commercial while lamenting their ordeal blamed the government for not having structures on ground to cushion the perennial fuel scarcity.
They complained that they had to stay in queues for hours unending and some even miss business opportunities and lose money due to the hours spent to get their tanks filled.
Some even alleged that the scarcity is an artificial one occasioned by the coming general elections and aimed at subjecting the masses to undue hardships and torture.
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seeking to restore the nullification of the participation of Osun State’s former Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, and his Deputy, Benedict Alabi, in the July 16, 2022 governorship election.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had, in a judgment on September 30, 2022, nullified the participation of Oyetola and Alabi in the governorship election on the grounds that their nomination forms were endorsed by an acting Chairman of APC, who was also a serving Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni.
Justice Nwite’s judgment was set aside by the Court of Appeal, Abuja in a judgment in December last year, a decision the PDP appealed to the Supreme Court.
In a judgment on Thursday morning, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Centus Nweze, held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and directed the lawyer to the PDP, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), to withdraw it.
The court held that the PDP could not, under the law, question the process leading to the emergence of Oyetola and Alabi as candidates of the APC in the election.
Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has urged voters in Osun State to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for wasting their votes.
He stated this on Sunday during an interview on Arise TV.
Recall with 𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 that the Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke for overvoting at over 700 polling units in the Governorship election.
The tribunal asked INEC to give Certificate of Returns to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
“What the voters in those areas have to do is to sue INEC for damages that you have wasted my votes,” Mr Falana said.
Mr Falana also said it will be a daunting task by Adeleke’s lawyers to overturn the verdict of the tribunal.
“Looking at the judgement, I believe very strongly that it is going to be a daunting task to impeach the judgement. INEC has to be held completely responsible for what happened.
“INEC will have to go back to the drawing table so that we will not have this experience. INEC will have to put its house in order, If we have this in a presidential election, where you issue one or two reports, it will have a crisis of monumental proportion,” he said
A one time Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is set to institute a legal action against the Inspector-General (IGP) over alleged refusal to release the IG Monitoring Team Report in respect of his petition against MTN Nigeria and others.
Oyinlola in a letter dated January 27, 2023 and addressed to the Inspector -General of Police, said he had no other choice than to commence the legal action as the refusal of the force to release the said report creates the impression of a cover up.
The expected report which dates as far back as 2013 bordered on investigation of a case of conspiracy, forgery and perversion of the course of justice by MTN Nigeria Ltd.
According to Oyinlola, the police after its investigation had advised that MTN Nigeria be prosecuted in line with Section 167(8) of the Evidence Act, for an attempt to suppress evidence in the case.
Oyinlola had in his petition to the police in 2012, alleged of an unholy relationship between then Justice Ayo Salami and some chieftains of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to pervert the course of justice when Justice Salami presided at the Osun State governorship election petition tribunal involving the ACN and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He had claimed that there was a telephone interaction between and among ACN chieftains, its lawyers, Justice Ayo Salami (now retired) and his bosom friend, Tunji Ijaiya, which MTN desperately tried to cover up from the NJC’s Special Investigative Panel.
Amongst the phone numbers the petitioner believed to have held discussions with the then presiding Justice of the election tribunal are 08034240000 and 0802240104, “both numbers, I am certain are/were being used by Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The latter is registered in the name of MTN Director, Tunde Folawiyo. The former is registered in the name of Gbadegesin Ademola, who is Tinubu’s Personal Assistant.
“MTN officials. All four individuals ought to be invited by the police to disclose at what point, ownership of the two subscriber lines changed”, Oyinlola argued.
He added that, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gbadegesin Ademola (Tinubu’s aide), Justice Ayo Salami, Tunde Folawiyo, Tunji Ijaiya and Rotimi Odusola must appear before the police “to narrate their roles in the grand scheme to pervert the course of justice”.
However, Oyinlola claimed that the police has since 2013 failed to supply him with the said report after several requests.
The former governor in the January 27, letter titled; RE: Protest at the Refusal of the Nigerian Police Force to Release Report of Investigation Carried Out By IGP Monitoring Team in Respect of Petitions against MTN Nigeria Communications, Certain Staff of The Nigerian Communications Commission and One Simon Egede (REF: CR3000/IGPSEC/ABJ/VOL. 103/603) and signed by his aide, Mr Adeolu Oyinlola stated that, “Given that the police establishment is unwilling to release the said report for reasons we find difficult to fathom, we are now left with no choice than to approach the courts for intervention”.
Before the January 27 letter, the petitioners had written similar protest letters dated January 4 and 26, 2023 and December 20, 2022, wherein they had registered their “surprise and disappointment at the refusal of the police to release to us the report of investigation carried out by the IGP Monitoring Team in respect of petitions” written by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
“Having written more than 10 letters requesting the release of the aforementioned report in the intervening period of eight years (and counting) acknowledged copies of four of which letters are attached to this correspondence, we have good reason to believe that a cover-up has patently been hatched and is being overtly executed by certain persons in the Nigerian Police Force”, the letter dated December 20, 2022 read in part.
Oyinlola, who claimed to be the only witness during the investigation submitted that there was a manipulation of the Call Detail Records (CDRs) forwarded to the police by MTN at the behest of the National Judicial Council (NJC) sometime in 2013 which necessitated the initial complaint.
According to him, “only the Originating (Outgoing) components were made available, while the Terminating (Incoming) components were withheld in order to conceal the identity of callers.
“The implication of the foregoing is that MTN can (and did) manipulate the Call Detail Records of persons being investigated by law enforcement and security agencies ” he added.
While the letter appealed to the police “to be conscious of the verdict of history and mindful of the judgment of posterity; it implored the IG to use his good office “to cause the release of the report in question to us without further delay”.
The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has expressed satisfaction with the passionate show of love and rejection of the Osun guber election petition tribunal judgment.
Adeleke’s reaction is coming after massive protests demonstrating support for him and the Peoples Democratic Party rocked major towns across the state.
Since the Friday, January 27, 2023, judgement by Justice Tertsea Kume-led tribunal in favour of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC) on July 16, 2022, Osun gubernatorial election, massive protests have rocked the state.
On Saturday, streets in major towns were blocked as protesters trooped out in large numbers to show their disapproval at the judgment.
Expressing delight at the reaffirmation of popular support for his governorship mandate, Adeleke in a personally signed statement assured the people that their mandate will not be stolen by whatever means possible.
In his words, “I have read stories of multiple protests and I have seen many videos from all over the state. From Central, West and East, I am overwhelmed by your open defence of our mandate. I express my appreciation to our people for their show of support. Your love for me is much appreciated.
“We have not done anything wrong. We won clearly with a wide margin. Local and foreign observers hailed our election as the best in recent Nigerian history. Be rest assured that by God and Man, justice will be done. Our mandate won’t be stolen.”
The governor who cautioned the people against taking laws into their hands also called for calm.
He disclosed that he has already appealed the judgment and was sure of victory.
Meanwhile, the Osun chapter of the PDP has accused the tribunal chairman, Justice Tertsea Kume of bias and sabotage of the new Electoral Act.
The party is also contemplating reporting the judge to judicial disciplinary bodies.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday in Osogbo, Akindele Adekunle, the party’s caretaker chairman in the state, alleged that the judgement was way billed by the APC as the Tribunal Chairman abandoned legal arguments and submissions to dwell on trivialities as the foundation for his pronouncement.
The party also alleged that the plot by the APC went beyond the Osun guber election of 2022 to the coming general elections.
“For us as a party, we understand the desperation of those behind the jankara judgement. We understand the trap they tried to set against the BVAS innovation in our electoral system. We understand the desperation goes beyond the Osun election or Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.
“The evil plot is ultimately against the coming general election where in their usual fraudulent habit, millions of voter cards have either been cloned, registered with ghost names and are being made ready to be deployed especially for the presidential election, in which they could smell their total rejection far ahead of time.
“In this wise and in their fraudulent anticipation, the use of BVAS machine must be discredited and rendered impotent ahead of their planned invasion of the electoral field with their fraudulent antics. However, ladies and gentlemen, this is a battle they cannot win!”
Adekunle, however, called on the residents and citizens of the state and Nigerians to be vigilant
The immediate past governor of Osun state, Gboega Oyetola is celebrating his victory after the Election Tribunal nullified the election of Ademola Adeleke.
He described Friday’s verdict as a collective victory for the country’s democracy.
Oyetola, who said this while speaking with newsmen in his country home, Iragbiji, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the greatest beneficiary of the judgement, adding that there was no victor.
He said, “There is no victor, no vanquished. It’s a collective victory for our State and our nation’s democracy.
“I’m happy that the judgment resolved the controversy of the July 16 2022, governorship election.
“INEC is the greatest beneficiary of the judgment.”
A man identified as Yisa Aderibigbe, has been arrested by the operatives of the Western Security Network Agency, Amotekun Osun Corps, for allegedly defiling two minors in Osogbo, the state capital.
According to a statement by Brigadier General Bashir Adewinmbi, the Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Aderibigbe was arrested on Thursday after a tip-off by the residents of the area where he committed the dastardly act.
𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 gathered that Yisa lured the two minors who were aged 5 and 7 years old to an uncompleted building in the Ayepe area of Osogbo and r*ped them.
Adewinmbi also stated that investigation revealed that the suspect is a notorious and serial rapist.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to committing the crime.
“I want to thank the residents of the area, who informed us about the incident. I want to appreciate them for their support,” he said in the statement.
He said the suspect had been transferred to the police for subsequent interrogation and prosecution.
While reiterating the commitment of the corps to fighting criminal activities in the state, he said Amotekun will always work with other security agencies to rid the state of criminals.
The corps commander, who warned that it is wrong to politicize criminality, added that efforts must be geared towards ensuring that the people are well-protected, in conjunction with other security agencies
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has rejected the sack of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 had reported that the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo on Friday upturned the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke at the July 16th 2022 governorship polls.
It also declared Adegboyega Oyetola as the winner of the election
Reacting to the verdict, Atiku urged Osun State people to continue to have faith in Governor Adeleke.
He added that Adeleke will emerge victorious at the end.
“On today’s verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal in Osun State, I stand in solidarity with the good people of Osun State who overwhelmingly voted for the Peoples Democratic Party and gave their mandate to His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“What has happened at the tribunal today is a phase in the struggle to liberate Osun State, and I am sure that at the conclusion of the whole process, the people shall be victorious.
“I, therefore, call on the people of Osun to continue to have faith in their governor elected into office on the popular ballot.
“This light that has shone on Osun shall never go dim
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has insisted that the Osun Election Petitions Tribunal has been under tremendous pressure.
Sanwo-Olu said this while congratulating the immediate past Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, on his victory at the Osun State Election Petitions Tribunal on Friday.
Recall with 𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 that the Tribunal had sacked Governor Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and declared Oyetola, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the July 16, 2022 election in Osun, as the winner.
The Tribunal, in a 2-1 majority ruling by its Chairman, Justice Tertse Kume, insisted that Oyetola scored the lawful majority votes of 314,931 against Adeleke’s 290,266.
Reacting, Sanwo-Olu, while speaking to journalists at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Friday, said, “I think the Tribunal has taken its time and you can see the outcome.
“I imagine they must have been under tremendous pressure, but I’m sure at the end of the day, they took the right outcome.
“My congratulations go to the APC family in Osun. The judiciary has shown that it was delayed but not denied, so I want to congratulate my brother, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.”
The Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the indiscriminate act of brigandage exhibited by political hoodlums suspected to be loyal to Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the governorship election petition tribunal upturned Adeleke’s victory.
The party in a statement signed by its acting Chairman in the State, Tajudeen Lawal also described the destruction of the campaign billboards and posters of the opposition candidates as wicked, primitive and callous.
The Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had on Friday, January 27, 2023, sacked Governor Adeleke in favour of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola as the authentic winner of the July 16, 2022, gubernatorial election in the State.
There were reported pockets of violence perpetrated by armed thugs in Osogbo metropolis on Friday immediately after the delivery of the tribunal judgement which nullified the electoral victory of Ademola Adeleke.
𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 reports that the thugs who were well armed with dangerous weapons went berserk in Osogbo, destroying the billboards and posters of the APC senatorial candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District, Senator Ajibola Bashir.
Reacting, Lawal urged Adeleke to call the militia arm of his party and government to order so as to prevent the total breakdown of law and order.
“There could not be any justification for the PDP to be promoting thuggery with a view to unleashing avoidable violence on the members of the opposition and their property.
“I task the leadership of the State police command and other statutory security agencies in the State not to look away while the political hoodlums terrorise the innocent people of the State.
“The sacked Governor Adeleke has an option to appeal the tribunal judgement instead of resorting to self-help from the hoodlums who lack the capacity to influence the tribunal judgement that has been delivered in favour of our candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
“If the sacked Governor Adeleke truly has genuine interest in allowing peace to reign in Osun State, he should put on his thinking cap and beat a retreat from his love for violence as such could only lead to an irredeemable perdition,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Governor, Adeleke in a statewide broadcast on Saturday, restated his rejection of the Tribunal judgement and affirmed that he has directed his counsels to appeal to a higher court.
While observing the discrepancies in the judgement of the Tribunal Chairman, Governor Adeleke described the outcome as a miscarriage of justice.
“My good people of Osun State, we have all heard the split judgement of the governorship election tribunal. Two members of the Tribunal delivered two opposing judgments, the Chairman and the member one. The member 2, did not deliver any judgment, she abstained.
“The Chairman’s judgment affirmed the claim of over-voting, while the Member One’s judgment agreed with our position as captured by the BVAS machines which is the primary source of accreditation data of true accreditation on the day of the Election.
“The reality of my election as the Governor of Osun State is captured in the member one’s judgement. The claim of over-voting in the Chairman’s judgment was unfounded. This was clearly a miscarriage of Justice. Based on the above, there was no majority judgment,” he stated.
Adeleke, who restated his confidence in the judiciary, called on the people to remain calm and go about their business and insisted that he remained the governor of the State
To celebrate his victory, Adegboyega Oyetola led a jubilation procession with large number of supporters after he was declared winner of the July 16, 2022 governorship election on Friday.
The Osun Governorship Election Tribunal had earlier in the day nullified the election of Ademola Adeleke as governor of Osun.
The tribunal nullified the election on the basis of over-voting and violation of the Electoral Act by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Thousands stormed the street in Iragbiji, Oyetola’s hometown to celebrate the tribunal’s verdict. He also joined them in the process as he drove in a convoy in the road procession.
Aggrieved protesters blocked some major roads in Osogbo and Ilesa on Saturday to protest the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal that sacked Senator Ademola Adeleke as governor.
The protesters, who prevented vehicular movement along Osogbo/Ikirun road, also blocked Gbongan/Osogbo road to traffic and beat up many commercial motorcyclists that were operating in the town.
While many commuters were stranded and had to trek long distances to their destinations, many business places did not open to customers over the fear of attack by the hoodlums.
At Igbona Area, the convoy of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kehinde Longe, was stopped by some people believed to be members of the transport management committee.
An eyewitness, who witnessed the incident said operatives that were in the convoy of the CP later cleared the barricade and moved on.
At Ilesa, the popular Roundabout was blocked to traffic, forcing commuters to take alternative routes to their various destinations.
When contacted for a reaction, Osun Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, said, “more men have been deployed to the identified spots where roads were blocked to traffic. The situation is under control
Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said the validation of Adegboyega Oyetola as the winner of the July 2022 Osun governorship election by the tribunal is a victory of light over darkness.
𝕹𝖔𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝕽𝖊𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆 had reported on Friday that the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo overturned the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke at the July 16th 2022, governorship polls.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has reacted to a ruling by the Osun Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sacking Ademola Adeleke as Governor of the state.
The ruling was delivered on Friday. The party has now vowed to upturn the verdict at the appeal court.
The tribunal had, in its judgment, declared former Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola of All Progressives Congress, APC, as the authentic winner of the July 16, 2022 governorship election in the state a 2-1 split decision.
However, another member of the three-man panel delivered a minority judgment in which he affirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke of PDP as the winner of the election.
But speaking to journalists after the delivery of the judgment, Counsel to PDP, Mr Nathaniel Oke, faulted the tribunal’s verdict.
He added that necessary legal step to challenge the judgment would be embarked upon by the PDP in order to get Adeleke’s mandate back.
He said that the majority judgment might not be the position of the court, adding, however, that the PDP stood with the minority judgment which, he said, showed the true picture of what transpired at the election.
“You will recall that it was only two people who gave judgment in respect of the July 16, 2022 election,” he said.
Oke said Adeleke’s mandate would be retrieved at the appellate court
Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ondo State Governor, has reacted to the judgment of the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo, which declared Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the July 16 Osun governorship poll, The PUNCH reports.
The governor said the judgment reflects the will of the people of the state who voted massively for the All Progressives Congress and Oyetola in the election.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, on Friday, Akeredolu said the tribunal judgement restored the hope of the common man and reinforced confidence in the judiciary.
The statement read, “We received with delight, the news of the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal which declared Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the July 16 governorship election in the State.
“This is indeed a victory for democracy. No doubt, the judgment will further consolidate and deepen our country’s democratic values and election petitions jurisprudence. It will also sustain the faith of the people in our democratic process. The will of the people has prevailed.
“I congratulate my dearest brother, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (Ileri-Oluwa). I also rejoice with the good people of Osun State and the entire APC family. This is a victory for all.
“While we relish the victory of the moment, I like to assure my dearest brother, Gboyega that we will be with him all the way to the Supreme Court. We shall hold hands together and march on this path of shared conviction. In the end, this victory shall be permanent.
“Evidently, this ruling has put paid to issues surrounding the election. We are confident that this mandate restored will provide a new lease of life for Osun State.
“We urge our party members to savour this victory with joy while also seeing it as a great booster ahead of the forthcoming elections.”
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described Friday’s gubernatorial tribunal judgement which upturned the election of Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in favour of Adegboyega Oyetola as the triumph of justice and truth over falsehood.
According to the statement from the acting State Chairman of the APC, Tajudeen Lawal, in Osogbo, the victory is an indication that the APC is the dominant political party in the state.
Lawal who maintained that he never doubted the victory of Oyetola at the tribunal added that the verdict was a confirmation that the APC gubernatorial candidate did not lose the July 16, 2022 election.
The Osun State APC acting chairman observed that the difference in the garnered votes with which Oyetola was declared the winner of the election by the tribunal with a wide margin was enough to prove that the APC candidate won the election conveniently and convincingly.
Lawal said: “With the majority judgement that gave Oyetola victory, it further underscored the fact that the court of law is the last hope of the common man as justice was not only served, it was seen to have been glaringly done.
“I appreciate the professional expertise of all the lawyers who featured at the tribunal and also laud the support and loyalty of all the APC members throughout the duration of the suit at the tribunal.
“I enjoin all the APC members and their supporters to go about their businesses in peace irrespective of provocation from any quarters.
“I salute the courage of the party members for their continued belief in the ideals of the party which have been igniting their unalloyed support to date.”
He also advised the leadership of the PDP and their candidate to approach the court for an appeal if they feel dissatisfied with the tribunal judgement instead of resorting to self-help which is always counterproductive to the rules of law.
Lawal also expressed gratitude to the entire people of the state for their support and prayers throughout the duration of the matter at the tribunal
The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, on Friday, faulted the judgment of the Osun State Election Petitions tribunal which sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing it as a “black market purchased judgment”.
CUPP, in a statement by its Co-National Spokesperson, Mr Mark Adebayo said: “We are not perturbed because justice will eventually be done on this case. The same way that fuel scarcity is biting hard across the country and motorists have to resort to the black market to buy fuel is the same way that we consider this judgment as a black market purchased judgment that we are confident will eventually be overturned by higher Courts. It is a temporary attempt to rob the Osun State people of their sovereign will and the judicial processes through its remedial mechanisms will do real justice to correct this anomalous injustice in the name of judgment.
“That it was a split decision judgment says a lot about its lack of merit. The mandate willfully given by the Osun State people to Governor Adeleke remains intact and any attempt to steal it will fail woefully.”
However, in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor described it as a miscarriage of justice.
The statement read: “The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola 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.”
The Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Osogbo has upturned the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke at the July 16th 2022 governorship polls.
The Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Brigadier General Bashir Adewinmbi said Adebowale was arrested by personnel of the security outfit during a routine patrol after he committed the act around 1am on Wednesday.
Brigadier General Adewinmbi while confirming the arrest in Osogbo on Wednesday, disclosed that Adewale was arrested after stealing a TVS motorcycle at Aratumi Community, Kelebe Area of Osogbo.
“It was in the course of carting away the motorcycle that the men of Amotekun who are on routine patrol saw him and apprehended the culprit.
“Upon interrogation, the culprit confessed to the crime.
“He has been transferred to the police for subsequent interrogation and prosecution.”
Adewinmbi also warned the criminal elements to stay out of Osun.
“We do not take anything that has to do with securing the lives of people and property lightly. We rapidly work on any piece of information that concerns security to ascertain whether it is genuine or not”.
“Amotekun is ready to expose criminals in their hiding places”. Adewinmbi asserted.
He urged the residents to reveal criminals in their neighbourhoods to the Amotekun Corps to curb crime in society.
Of recent, the Osun State capital, Osogbo has witnessed rising cases of crime-related activities, the development has put increasing pressure on the state security architecture.
There have been reported cases of kidnapping and abductions even in Osogbo the state capital
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