Court of Appeal affirms Adeleke as PDP Guber candidate
…Receives INEC certificate of return
…Commends residents for peaceful conduct
By Othuke Evroh and By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The court of appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo state, has struck out a suit filed by Dotun Babayemi, Governorship hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against Senator Ademola Adeleke.
Babayemi took a legal action against Adeleke before a Federal high court in Osogbo, seeking to be declared as the PDP candidate for the July 16 Governorship election in Osun state.
The party’s internal crisis made it conduct two factional governorship primaries on March 8, 2021, featuring Adeleke and Babayemi.
While Babayemi was declared the winner of the primary election held at the Children and Women Development Centre in Osogbo, Adeleke emerged at the primary election held at Osogbo City Stadium backed by the PDP national working committee.
In a list of candidates later published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adeleke was recognised as the duly-elected candidate of the PDP in the Governorship election in the state.
In a judgment delivered on May 18, Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel, the judge, held that the primary election conducted at the WOCDIF Centre, Osogbo, on March 8, which produced Babayemi is null and void.
Babayemi, dissatisfied with the ruling, appealed at the court of appeal, Akure, challenging the judgment of the lower court and seeking to be declared as the PDP Governorship Candidate.
The court of appeal in its judgment on Wednesday upheld the verdict of the high court and accordingly dismissed Babayemi’s appeal.
Adeleke defeated the incumbent Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Governorship election on July 16.
The INEC National Commissioner supervising Osun, Ogun and Oyo states, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Wednesday, presented certificate of return to Adeleke, as the Governor-elect.
The Governor-elect of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke on thereafter assured the Osun State residents of a brighter future and a path of progress and prosperity in the State.
Adeleke said his victory will not have been made possible if not because of the courage and determination of the people yearning for good governance said he was overwhelmed by the love, support, trust and confidence reposed in him by the people of the state.
His words, “I give thanks to God Almighty for this victory. This victory could not have been possible but because of the good people of Osun state.
“This victory would not have been possible but for the goodwill of the patriotic men, young and old who worked hard to make sure we reclaim our stolen mandate.
“I am overwhelmed by your love and support and I do not take this trust you have bestowed on me for granted.
“Our state has now turned to a new page and we can now look forward to a bright future and a path for progress and prosperity for our people. Furthermore, I would like to specially recognise and appreciate my PDP family for their support.
“I dedicate my victory to my late brother, the first executive Governor of the state, Isiaka Adeleke and every indigenes of Osun state and to all my supporters, friends and families,” he stated.
Issuing the Certificate of Return to the Governor-elect and his Deputy, Kola Adewusi, the National Commissioner in charge of Osun, Ogun and Oyo States, professor Kule Ajayi commended the people of Osun state for peaceful conduct during the Gubernatorial election.
He said Osun Election happens to be the last election before 2023 general election adding that from the successes recorded in Ekiti and Osun States assuring Nigerians that INEC has set a standard on election management.
According to him, “In consonance with the provision of Section 72 (Sub section 1 )which mandates INEC to issue a sealed Certificate of Return to the Governor-Elect and Deputy Governor-Elect within 14 days after declaration of result by the Returning Officer.
“Having conducted a free, fair, credible and inclusive Election on the 16th of July, 2022. On this note, I would like to sincerely thank every participant here present for sparing time to attend this important occasion of issuing of Certificate of Return to the Governor-Elect and Deputy Governor-Elect of Osun State,” he said.
