According to Gboyega Oyetola, the decision made by the Osun Election Petition Tribunal on Friday benefited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the most.
The APC candidate told reporters in his rural home of Iragbiji that the ruling demonstrated the need for INEC to identify and investigate some irregularities prior to the general election.
He went on to say that the decision was also a victory for the state and for the country’s democracy in general.
“There is no victor and no defeated. It is a collective victory for our state and the democracy of our country.
“I am happy that the judgment had resolved the controversy of the July 16th, 2022 governorship election.
“INEC is the greatest beneficiary of the judgment. It will afford them the opportunity to look at all the anomalies and make necessary adjustments to prevent such mistakes now that the general elections are coming.
“I thank the people of the state and supporters for standing by us, for their courage and loyalty. I want to assure them that we are ready to continue to serve them,” he said.
Meanwhile, there was wild jubilation in Iragbiji following the tribunal judgment, with large numbers of residents jubilating over the verdict.
The election petition tribunal nullified the election of Ademola Adeleke.
The Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Tertsea Kume, while reading the judgment said the election was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act.
Kume said that there was indeed over-voting in 774 polling units in 10 local government areas in the state.
He said it was the duty of the tribunal to deduct the valid votes cast from the over-voting.
He said after the deduction of valid votes scored by candidates from the observed over-voting, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 314,931, while Adeleke polled 290,266 votes
Kume directed INEC to retrieve the Certificate of Returns issued to Adeleke as the elected governor.
Meanwhile, Adeleke said that he would appeal the judgment which he described as a miscarriage of justice.
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