JUST IN: Adeleke rejects tribunal verdict, heads to Appeal Court

The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, called the decision of the governorship election petitions tribunal a “miscarriage of justice” and vowed to appeal it.

Creebhills reports that the July 16 Osun governorship election result was nullified by the Election Petitions Tribunal on Friday after hearing Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress’ case challenging Ademola Adeleke’s victory.

According to Justice Tetsea Kume’s majority ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission did not substantially comply with the terms of the Electoral Act.

From his country home in Ede, Adeleke criticized the tribunal’s decision to resolve the over-voting question in favor of Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, calling it “an unfair interpretation against the will of the majority of voters.”

While urging his supporters to remain calm, Adeleke vowed to appeal the judgement at the Court of Appeal, insisting he remained the rightful winner of the July 16 election.

“I call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done. Let our people be reassured that we will do everything possible to retain this widely acclaimed mandate,” the governor said in a statement signed by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, on Friday.