By Jeleel Olawale
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Bukola Ojuade has hailed the former Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola on his declaration by the tribunal as the validly elected Governor of the state.
He congratulated the immediate past governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola over his victory at the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal.
A three-man tribunal chaired by Justice Tetsea Kume on Friday in Osogbo ruled that Oyetola was duly elected citing over voting as the basis for nullifying the election of Ademola Adeleke.
Ojuade described the ruling as a “triumph of courage, perseverance, and light over the forces of darkness that sought to arrest the progressive good governance the APC administration delivered to the people of Osun state under the leadership of Oyetola.
“I heartily rejoice with Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola on his much deserved victory at the Election Tribunal today. It is the victory of light over darkness. A triumph of perseverance, courage and justice over electoral fraud and democratic perversion.
“The forces of darkness plotted to extinguish the able leadership and progressive good governance that improved the quality of life of our people under your leadership. But today, the Tribunal delivered justice and restored the mandate freely given to you and our great party.
“I am confident that the good work you championed that was momentarily paused will soon resume and Osun people will be happy again.
“The judgment had again shown that the APC remained the party to beat at all times, especially during the forthcoming general elections.
The tribunal while delivering a majority decision vote, Justice Tetsea Kume ruled that INEC did not comply substantially with the constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
He subsequently deducted the over-voting observed from the votes scored by the candidates and declared that Oyetola won the election, having polled 314, 921, while Adeleke’s score came down to 290, 266.
He directed INEC to withdraw Adeleke’s certificate of return and issue another one to Oyetola who won a majority of the lawful votes.
He, however, urged Oyetola to be magnanimous in victory at the end of the whole process.