Ukpono Anietie, PH
The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Ademola Adeleke as the Governor of Osun State, setting aside the appeal by his opponent, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision has finally put an end to a long and contentious legal battle that has lasted since after the Osun State gubernatorial election held last year.
The ruling, which was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Emmanuel Agim, has been greeted with jubilation by Adeleke’s supporters who have been waiting anxiously for the final outcome of the case.
The decision marks the second time that Adeleke has been declared the winner of the election, having initially won at the polls in 2022.
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Adeleke emerged victorious in the Osun State gubernatorial election held on July 16, 2022, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Adeleke scored a total of 403,371 votes, defeating the incumbent Oyetola who secured 375,027 votes.
However, Oyetola and the APC had contested the result, alleging irregularities in the polls and challenging Adeleke’s victory at the Tribunal.
On January 27, 2023, the Tribunal had initially overturned Adeleke’s victory and declared Oyetola the winner of the poll.
This decision was later overturned by the Court of Appeal, which reinstated Adeleke as the winner of the election.
The legal battle has been fraught with tension and has divided the people of Osun State along party lines. Many had feared that the prolonged legal battle would lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.
However, with the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is hoped that the people of Osun State will finally be able to put the election behind them and move on with their lives.
Reacting to the ruling, Adeleke expressed his gratitude to God and the people of Osun State for their unwavering support throughout the legal battle.
“I describe this victory as one dedicated to the Almighty God and the people of Osun. They stood by me to let me know that they love me and I love them back,” he said.
