By Babalola Seyi
Despite the tribunal’s decision against him, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is convinced he can defeat his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola.
The governor remarked at a meeting with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Unit-to-Unit Ambassadors in Osun West District on Friday in Osogbo.
Adeleke emphasized the importance of the court in building democracy, citing pronouncements that had served to stabilize the nation.
The Osun governor identified himself as a beneficiary of court intervention, stating that he had unwavering trust in the system.
“I cannot forget how the judiciary cleared me of forgery allegations. You can’t have a strong democracy unless we all hold the judiciary as the indispensable arbiter,” he said.
Adeleke announced the process of appealing the tribunal ruling is ongoing and believes his mandate would be revalidated.
He said the verdict got people of the state emotional and urge everyone to be calm and go about their daily activities peacefully.
“We have all the grounds to appeal and we are doing that. By God and man, our mandate will be revalidated through the same judicial process,” he stated.
The Justice Tertsea Kume-led tribunal held that the July 16, 2022 governorship election was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act.
The majority judgement declared that Oyetola scored the majority lawful votes of 314,931 against Adeleke’s 290,266 after invalid votes were deducted.
