By Nifemi Adefemi
The camp of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party jubilated earlier today as the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja set aside the judgement of the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal that annulled his victory during the Osun State governorship election on July 16, 2022.
The tribunal had annulled Adeleke’s victory and affirmed Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress as the authentic winner of the poll.
The tribunal, which was chaired by Justice Tertse Kume, in a split decision of 2 to 1, nullified Adeleke’s victory based on discrepancies in 744 polling units across ten local government areas of the state. The tribunal invalidated alleged illegal votes and declared Oyetola as the winner based on legally valid votes.
However, the Appeal court today overruled that judgement on the ground that the All Progressives Congress and Oyetola failed to substantiate their claim of over-voting against Adeleke.
The Appeal Court consequently set aside the verdict of the Osun State Governorship tribunal and confirmed Adeleke as the validly elected governor of Osun State.