The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has told Governor Ademola Ademola Adelekeof Osun State that his recent comments regarding the outcome of the 2018 gubernatorial election reflect a lack of faith in the judiciary.
Adeleke, who lost the 2018 Osun gubernatorial election to the current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, has repeatedly contested the result. His legal battle culminated in a ruling by the Supreme Court, which upheld Oyetola’s victory.
In a statement issued yesterday by Chief Kola Olabisi, Director of Media and Information for Osun State APC, the party warned the Governor against continually disparaging the judiciary by insisting that he won the 2018 election.
“This statement from Senator Adeleke is unnecessary and amounts to publicly declaring his lack of confidence in the judiciary, which, through the Supreme Court, concluded that he lost the 2018 gubernatorial election to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, now the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,” the APC said.
The party further noted that it had observed Adeleke’s repeated assertions that he had won the 2018 election, and criticised him for his continued remarks.
“Senator Adeleke should be reminded that a gubernatorial election in Nigeria is a process that begins at the primary level, moves through the election itself, the tribunal, the Court of Appeal, and concludes at the Supreme Court,” the statement continued.
“It is important to emphasise to Governor Adeleke that any claim made by him or anyone else that he won the 2018 gubernatorial election is not only contemptuous but also an attempt to undermine the judiciary and its decisions,” the party added.
The APC also expressed surprise at the governor’s behaviour, considering he had benefited from the judiciary’s decision in his favour during the 2022 election. “It is difficult to understand how a beneficiary of the judiciary in the 2022 election could so boldly denigrate the same judiciary that declared him the winner of the governorship race against Alhaji Oyetola, the APC candidate,” the statement read.
The party affirmed that it had moved on, maintaining its absolute confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary and the principles of the rule of law.
It was recalled that a few days ago, Adeleke was reported to have told a television outlet that he was “rigged out” of the 2018 election.
“We want to make it abundantly clear to Governor Adeleke and his supporters that his continuous disparagement of the judiciary over his loss in the 2018 gubernatorial election will not confer any special advantage upon him in the 2026 election. He should be prepared to lose because of his dismal track record,” the APC said.
The party also criticised Adeleke’s attitude toward elections, suggesting that he only believes in the credibility of elections and the judiciary when the outcome favours him. “It is puzzling for Governor Adeleke to think that an election is only free, fair, and credible when he is declared the winner, without recognising that elections are a contest, and one may either emerge victorious or defeated,” the APC remarked.
The party concluded by warning Adeleke against continuing to blame the judiciary in future elections, particularly the 2026 governorship election, should he lose. It accused him of laying the groundwork for failure with his administrative missteps and policy inconsistencies since taking office.
“Governance in the modern era goes beyond the minimal achievements flaunted by Governor Adeleke, who seems to focus more on his celebratory dancing rather than demonstrating the ability to lead the state with innovative thinking,” the statement read.