- * 'My Victory, A Call For More Service To Our People'....Adeleke Reacts
- There's Hope For Democracy In Nigeria, Says PDP
By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-chief) @CelestineOkaf11
It was a great ululation in Osun state and within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family as Nigeria's apex court, the Supreme Court, on Tuesday May 9, 2023, upholds Senator Ademola Adeleke’s victory as governor of Osun state.
The Supreme Court which affirmed the earlier judgement of the Court of Appeal that had set aside the initial judgement by the Osun State governorship election tribunal which gave victory to the former governor, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, however ruled that governor Adeleke indeed defeated his predecessor (Oyetola) in the July 16, 2022 gubernatorial election.
In the apex court's verdict delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court held that ex-governor Adegboyega Oyetola (the Appellant) could not provide sufficient proof to sustain his allegation of over voting in the election.
The court's pronouncement was affirmed and adopted by the entire five members of the judicial panel, arguing that there was no merit in Oyetola's appeal case.
Meanwhile, Governor Ademola Adeleke has reacted positively to his Supreme Court triumph with great joy.
Speaking at his country home in Ede, he describe the Tuesday Court ruling as a challenge to render more service to the Osun people. He said the judicial decision is a historic landmark in the history of Osun politics.
Adeleke declared that, “Today is the day our God ordained to stamp His authority as the owner and giver of power, today is the moment when the will of the people ordained by God survived the anti-masses plot of powerful forces. We therefore celebrate God almighty.
“We dedicate today’s victory to Him, power is of God, and he bestows it on whomever He wishes. I will remain Gods driven, divinely inspired, I will govern with the fear of God. our victory is an affirmation that we are of the will of the people.
“To all stake holders in the Osun project, be assured that the revalidation of our mandate is a challenge, a call to duty, a fresh demand to more dividends of democracy. I commit myself to more expanded delivery of good governance. In me you will find a true people governance. I seek support of true Osun citizens. this is our state, and we must join hands to develop it".
Governor Adeleke in a statement by his Chief Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, also stated while celebrating his victory that: "State power is of God and He bestows it on whoever he wills - I will remain God driven, divinely inspired governing with the fear of God;
"Our governorship is an affirmation that a government of the people, by the people and for the people is possible. Our victory is a testimony that people's will backed by divine will can withstand and survive plots of anti-democratic elements. I must therefore express my heartfelt appreciation to the great people of osun state for your deep support. on behalf of my family and party, i say thank you;
"To the judiciary, Osun has emerged as a moral compass, affirming the integrity of my lord justices. Your affirmation for truth and people's will consolidates and strengthens our democracy. on behalf of osun people, we appreciate you and we adore your love for justice and equity. To all stakeholders in the osun project, be assured that the revalidation of our mandate is a challenge, a call to duty, a fresh demand for more dividends of democracy;
"I commit myself to an even more expanded delivery of good governance; in me, you will find a truly pro-people Governor. I seek support and cooperation of all Osun residents and citizens irrespective of party affiliations. this is our state and we must join hands to develop it. My special appreciation goes to my family, my brother, my sister. you are all my strong pillar of support;
"To all imole and pdp supporters locally and internationally, our victory is validated. thanks for standing by me. My dear good people of Osun State, the good job continues. We shall ramp up the implementation of our five points agenda. We shall as usual focus on grassroot development and infrastructural revival of our dear state. Our policies shall fight poverty, unemployment and under-development. You shall truly feel, taste and dividends of democracy", the Governor told the jubilant crowd.
Governor Adeleke also declared that the apex court judgement finally put-pays to the months of anxiety that have characterized the governorship tussle for nearly year now, stating that it is now time for all the contending parties to put the matter behind in the interest of Osun state.
Also reacting to the Supreme Court's verdict, Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari, has quickly congratulated the Osun State governor, noting Adeleke's victory was an indication that the nation's fledgling democracy is being deepened by the judiciary.
Buhari made this observation in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who incidentally is also an indigene of Ipetumodu in Osun State. The President urged the ecstatic Osun governor to realise that after victory, the task remains to work hard and impact positively on the people and State of Osun by providing peace, stability and good governance.
Governor Adeleke's party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through its spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, said the apex court's judgement reflects the will of Osun people as expressed on Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Ologunagba stated that, “The judgment of the Supreme Court has further restored the confidence Nigerians repose in the institution of the Judiciary and the hope for the sustenance of democracy in our country". NNL.
