Tension in Osun as the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal hearing the petition of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola against the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke, delivers judgement today.
By Emma Ogbuehi
There is palpable tension in Osun as the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal hearing the petition of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola against the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke on July 16, 2022, delivers judgement today.
A notice by the Tribunal, had, last week, fixed today, Friday, January 27, 2023 for judgement.
Our Reporter gathered that in preparation for the historic outing and to ensure that the security situation in the state is not compromised by any group, stern-looking policemen have been stationed at strategic positions in Osogbo, the state capital and other cities.
Oyetola dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with Governor Adeleke and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the Tribunal challenging over voting in 749 polling units. The former governor is equally challenging the qualification of Adeleke for the election.
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Sitting by the Tribunal was concluded on January 13, 2023 after adoption of final written addresses of parties involved.
The chairman of the panel, Justice Tertse Kume, declared the judgement date would be communicated to parties through the lawyers.
There were earlier reports that at Osun High Court, Oke-Fia where the tribunal sat, the notice of judgement had been pasted on the board of the entrance of tribunal hall.
The noticed signed by the secretary of the Tribunal, David Umaru reads: “Petition number, EPT/OS/GOV/01/2022 between Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola and Other ADEGBOYEGA ISIAKA and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and two others, the judgement shall hold on Friday 27th January 2023 at 9AM.”
On Sunday, July 23, Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged the winner of the state off-season governorship election, beating Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He polled 402,979 votes, while Oyetola, then the governor, scored 375,077 votes.
Adeleke won in 17 local government areas of the state, including Olorunda, Ede South, Orolu, Osogbo, Odo Otin, Ifelodun, Atakumosa, and Ila, the pioneer National Chairman of the ruling APC, Bisi Akande is from Ila LGA. Oyetola won in 13 local government areas including Iwo, Ayedaade, Ife South and Ife East. The election took place in all the 30 local government areas of the state with 3,763 polling units and 332 registration areas.
Based on the results, the INEC Returning Officer of the election, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe said; “I declare that Adeleke Ademola Jackson Nurudeen of PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected”, sparking jubilation among Adeleke’s supporters.